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BX  6495  .M38  M3 
Mallary,  Charles  Dutton, 

1801-1864. 
Memoirs  of  Elder  Jesse 

Mercer 


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FEB    3   1919 
M  E  M  O  I  R  'S/i,.  <.\ 


OF 


ELDER   JESSE    MERCER. 


4. 


BY    0.    D.'MALLARY. 


N  E  W  -  Y  0  R  K  : 
PRINTED    BY    JOHN    GRAY 

1844. 


t. 


COPY     RIGHT      SECURED 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


The  following  work  was  undertaken  in  accordance  with  the  request  and 
appointment  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention,  at  its  annual  session  at  Lagrange, 
in  1842.  Its  preparation  for  the  press  has  been  retarded  by  some  difficulty 
and  delay  in  collecting  the  necessary  materials,  by  other  numerous  and  press- 
ing duties,  but  more  especially  by  that  feeble  state  of  health,  which  for  many 
years  past  has  imposed  upon  the  writer  the  necessity  of  taking  much  time  to 
accomplish  even  an  inconsiderable  task.  The  volume  is  not  altogether  what 
the  Author  could  have  wished,  and  what  perhaps  the  public  have  expected, 
nor  what,  under  different  circumstances,  the  writer  could  have  made  it  ;  yet 
with  all  its  defects,  it  is  hoped  that  it  will  be  found  entertaining  to  the  survi- 
ving friends  and  acquaintances  of  Mr.  Mercer,  and  not  altogether  useless  to  the 
religious  community  in  general.  The  work  contains  some  reflections  and  his- 
torical details  not  absolutely  necessary  to  illustrate  the  life  and  character  of 
Mr.  Mercer;  yet  they  generally  relate  to  affairs  with  which  he  was  more  or 
kss  connected,  and  may  be  in  some  degree  interesting  and  useful  to  Southera 
Baptists,  and  particularly  to  the  Baptists  of  Georgia.  Audit  is  proper  hera 
to  state,  that  the  Author  in  preparing  the  work  has  had  particular  reference 
to  its  usefulness  upon  that  field  where  it  was  natural  to  suppose  it  would  find 
its  principal  patronage  and  circulation.  On  this  account,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  that 
the  more  distant  reader  will  look  with  forbearance  on  what  mightseem  to  him 
to  be  the  redundances  and  defects  of  the  publication. 

Numerous  quotations  from  the  writings  of  Mr.  fiercer  are  interspersed 
through  the  volume — more  than  what  many  might  deem  judicious,  though 
fewer  than  what  others  no  doubt  would  desire.  In  the  selections,  reference 
has  been  h^d,  in  some  cases,  to  their  practical  excellence,  in  others,  to  their 
adaptedness  to  give  a  clear  and  impartial  view  of  Mr.  Mercer's  various  reli- 
gious opinion*.    After  all,  these  quotations  constitute  but  a  very  small  portion 


IV  JIDVERTISEMENT. 

of  his  wiitinfs,  aud  would  not  therefore  eupersede  the  desirableness  of  pub- 
lishing his  most  important  productions  in  a  separate  volume.  The  Biographer 
has  in  his  possession  most  of  these  productions,  having  collected  them  at  con- 
siderable [pains,  and  could  now  very  readily  arrange  them  for  publication,  did 
he  know  that  the  general  wish  and  anxiety  of  his  brethren  were  such  as  to 
justify  the  undertaking. 

The  Likeness  which  accompanies  this  volume  is  not  as  accurate  as  could  be 
desired.  There  is  no  complete  likeness  of  Mr.  Mercer  extant,  from  which  an 
artist  could  copy ;  but  still  his  sur\'iving  acquaintances  cannot  fail  to  recognise 
in  the  one  which  is  here  presented,  the  most  striking  peculiarities  of  his  inte- 
resting  features,  and  to  regard  it  as  a  valuable  appendage  to  the  Book.  The 
engraved  fac  simile  of  his  hand  writing,  which  is  inserted  in  the  volume,  will 
no  doubt  be  also  highly  valued. 

In  the  conclusion  of  this  prefatory  notice,  the  Biographer  would  tender  his 
most  sincere  thanks  to  all  the  brethren  and  friends  who  have  generously  as- 
sisted him  in  various  wajs  during  the  prosecution  of  his  labor  ;  and  especially 
would  he  offer  up  a  tribute  of  thankfulness  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church, 
who  has  enabled  him,  through  manifold  infirmities,  to  press  on  to  the  conclu- 
sion of  his  toil,  so  that  he  can  now  present  to  the  Christian  public  a  volume 
which,  notwithstanding  all  its  deficiencies,  may  tend  somewhat,  with  the  divine 
blessing,  to  perpetuate  the  usefulness  of  one,  whose  name  will  ever  hold  an 
honored  place  upon  the  catalogue  of  the  Wise,  the  Great,  and  the  Good. 

Ticiggs  Co.,  February  9,  1844. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

Introductory  remarks — Brief  notice  of  Mr.  Mercer's 
paternal  (irandfather — Sketches  of  the  life  of  Silas 
Mercer — Early  life  of  Jesse  Mercer — His  conversion.       9 

CHAPTER    II. 

Mr.  Mercer's  first  public  exercises — His  marriage — 
Brief  notice  of  his  first  wife — His  ordination — Per- 
sonal appearance — Call  to  Hutton's  Fork  Church — 
Attends  to  his  mental  improvement — call  to  another 
Church  and  removal  to  Oglethorpe — His  doubts  as 
to  his  call  to  the  ministry — Distressing  temptation — 
Death  of  his  Father  and  his  return  to  Wilkes — Suc- 
ceeds his  Father  in  the  charge  of  his  churches.  26 

CHAPTER    in. 

Mr.  Mercer's  ministerial  labors — Sardis  Church — Phil- 
lips' Mill — Bethesda — Powelton — Gov.  Rabun — Ex- 
tracts from  Mr.  Mercer's  funeral  Sermon  on  the 
occasion  of  Gov.  R.'s  death — Eatonton  Church — 
Thorn ns  Cooper  41 

CHAPTER    IV. 

Number  of  immediate  conversions  not  a  certain  test  of 
a  minister's  usefulness — Mr.  Mercer  set  for  the 
defence  of  the  gospel — His  care  to  establish  his 
churches  in  the  truth — Skilful  to  aid  the  tempted — 
Anecdotes — His  caution  in  receiving  members — Able 
disciplinarian — Hi?   manner  of  presiding  at  church 


Vi  CONTENTS. 


meetings — His  punctuality — No  respecter  of  persons 
— His  churches  benevolent — Defects  in  the  prevailing 
system  of  pastoral  labor — Mr.  Mercer  in  revivals — 
His  views  on  Revivals — Ministerial  support — Esti- 
mation in  which  he  was  held.  68 


CHAPTER    V. 


Mr.  Mercer's  labors  on  his  journe3^s  from  home,  at  As- 
sociations, &c.— Circulates  useful  books — his  Clus- 
ter— Extracts  from  his  correspondence — His  relation 
to  political  affairs.  81 


CHAPTER,    VI. 

!Death  of  Mrs.  Mercer — Mr.  Mercer  removes  to  "Wash- 
ington— A  church  constituted  there — His  second 
marriage — Editorial  labors — The  degree  of  D.  D. 
conferred  on  him — Letters  to  various  individuals.        102 

CHAPTEPv    VII. 

Mr.  Mercer's  connexion  with  the  Georgia  Association — 
Extracts  from  his  Circular  Letters — Connexion  with 
the  General  Committee — Baptist  State  Convention.   137 

CHAPTEIl    VIII. 

Mr.  Mercer's  efforts  in  behalf  of  Education — Mt.  Enon 
— Columbian  College — Attempts  at  co-operation 
with  South  Carolina — Mr.  Mercer's  views  on  the 
subject — His  aid  to  Mercer  University — Brief  Histo- 
ry of  the  Institution — Project  of  College  at  Wash- 
ington— Sermon  on  Education — Extracts  from  the 
same,  and  from  Christian  Index  160 

CHAPTER    IX. 

Mr.  Mercer's  efforts  in  the  Missionary  cause — Forma- 
tion of  Powelton  Mission  Society — Mission  Board 
of  the  Ga.  Association — Mission  to  the  Creeks — His 
favorite  argument  for  Missions — Letters  in  defence  of 
benevolent  plans  froux  the    Index — Letter  to  Mr. 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

►^huck — To  Mr.  BoUes on  the  abolition  excitement — 
Remarks  from  the  Index  on  the  same  subject — His 
kind  feelings  towards  his  northern  brethren — Skele- 
ton of  a  missionary  Sermon — Letter  on  the  "  Im- 
prisonment of  the  Missionaries  to  the  Cherokees."      188 

CHAPTER    X. 

Mr.  Mercer  and  the  Temperance  Cause — At  first 
stands  aloof — His  reasons  for  this  in  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Brantly — Mr.  B.'s  editorial  coraments^Finally 
lakes  the  pledge — Establishes  a  Temperance  paper — 
Opposes  the  use  of  wine — His  opinion  on  the  traffic 
in  spirits — Remarks  from  the  Index — Sketch  of  a 
Temperance  Discourse — Short  notes  on  the  wine 
question.  223 

CHAPTER    XI. 

Mr.  Mercer's  pecuniary  contributions  to  benevolent 
objects.  236 

CHAPTER    XII. 

Unhappy  divisions  in  the  churches— Mr.  Mercer's 
opinion  as  to  the  causes — His  Circular  Letter  pub- 
lished in  the  Convention  Minutes  of  1831 — Useful- 
ness at  ministers'  meetings — Extracts  from  his  ser- 
mon on  Ministerial  Union — Letters  to  Mr.  B.  and 
Mr.  L.  245 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

Mr.  Mercer  as  a  writer — Speaking  the  truth  in  love — 
His  Ten  Letters  on  the  Atonement — Extracts — Ser- 
mon on  the  Excellency  of  the  Knowledge  of  Christ, 
and  Extracts  from  the  same — Essay  on  Lord's  Sup- 
per— History  of  Ga.  Association — Review  of  a  cer- 
tain Report — Essay  on  forgiveness  of  sins — Extracts 
from  his  Editorial  pieces.  281 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

Narrative  of  Mr.  Mercer's  Life  resumed — Letter  t(5 
Mrs.  R. — Severe  indisposition — Address  to  patrons 


/ 


VUl  CONTEiVTS. 

of  Index — Letter  to  the  Ga.  Association — Letter  to 
Mrs.  R. — To  Heman  Lincoln — Death  of  Mrs.  Mer- 
cer— Letter  to  Mr.  M. — Letter  of  Mr.  Curtis  to  Mr. 
Mercer — Mr.  Mercer's  reply — "  Hear  what  the  Spi- 
rit saith  to  the  churches,"  3  nos. — His  feelings  in 
view  of  his  approaching  end.  332 

CHAPTER    XV. 

Mr.  Mercer's  decline  regarded  with  sorrow — His  last 
Sermon — Sketch  of  the  Sermon — Visits  Penfield — 
Letter  to  Mr.  Sturgis — Visits  Indian  Springs — Let- 
ter to  Mr.  Sturgis — His  death — Mr.  Carter's  Letter 
in  relation  to  his  death — Resolutions  of  the  Washing- 
ton Baptist  Church — Of  the  Presbyterian  Church — 
Notice  of  Mr.  Sturgis'  Funeral  Sermon.  373 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

Mr.  Mercer's  personal  appearance — Various  traits  of 
character  described — Mr.  Mercer  in  his  social  rela- 
tions— Character  of  his  mind  and  attainments — His 
character  as  a  preacher — His  gift  in  Prayer — His 
piety — His  faults — His  great  influence.  395 


APPENDIX. 

A 

Memoranda  of  occasional  remarks  made  by  Mr.  Mer- 
cer, in  his  sermons,  private  conversation,  &c.  431 

B 

Recollections  of  one  of  Mr.  Mercer's  sermons,  furnished 
by  Rev.  W.  H.  Stokes.  434 

C 

Obituary  Notice  of  Mrs.  Nancy  Mercer.  436 

D 

Mr.  Mercer's  Opinions  upon  various  subjects  connected 
with  Church  Discipline.  Arc.  441 


MEMOIRS 


OF 


ELDER   JESSE   MERCER. 


CHAPTER  L 


Introductory  Remarks.— Brief  Notice  of  Mr.  Mercer's'  paternal 
Grandfather. — Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Silas  Mercer. — Early  Life 
of  Jesse  Mercer. — His  Conversion. 

Upon  the  map  of  an  extended  country,  we  do  not 
expect  to  see  a  distinct  exhibition  of  every  hill  and 
rivulet  and  valley.  An  attempt  at  such  minuteness 
would  defeat  the  design  of  geographical  delineation, 
exhibiting  nothing  to  the  eye  but  a  confused  and  blot- 
ted chart.  The  most  interesting  and  prominent  objects 
only  can  be  sketched,  and  if  this  is  performed  with 
judgment  and  accuracy,  every  reasonable  expectation 
is  satisfied.  So  upon  the  map  of  Zion,  which  is  to  be 
held  up  to  public  view  and  handed  down  to  future 
ages,  we  do  not  expect  to  find  a  distinct  and  prominent 
exhibition  of  the  life  and  labors  of  every  saint  who 
may  have  contributed  a  share  by  his  work  of  faith 
and  labor  of  love,  and  patience  of  hope,  to  enrich  and 
beautify  the  spiritual  landscape.  If  it  were  possible 
for  mortals  on  eaith  to  consti-uct  and  exhibit  such  a 

2 


10  MEMOIRS    OP 

chart,  how  vast  would  be  its  dimensions,  how  compli- 
cated its  parts,^  how  wearisome  its  details.  It  would 
take  a  long  life  to  scan  one  little  province ;  and  even 
in  this  limited  and  partial  field,  the  eye  would  wander 
over  a  thousand  objects  which  would  fail  to  make  any- 
deep  and  salutary  impression  on  the  mind.  For  the 
present,*  it  is  enough  for  us  to  know  that  such  an  ex- 
tended and  perfect  memorial  is  in  the  course  of  pre- 
paration in  a  brighter  and  better  world.  The  record 
of  all  the  saints  is  on  high.  On  that  record,  the  life  and 
services  of  the  most  obscure  believer,  as  well  as  of 
the  most  eminent,  are  traced  in  clear  immortal  lines. 
At  length  the  glorious  chart  will  be  unfolded  to  our 
view  in  all  its  minute  and  mighty  delineations.  The 
little  rill  will  then  be  as  distinctly  seen  as  the  majes- 
tic river ;  the  flowery  hillock  as  the  cloud-capt  moun- 
tain ;  and  then  shall  we  learn,  as  we  gaze  with  strong 
and  admiring  eyes  upon  the  heavenly  portraiture,  in 
what  manner  tlje  beauty  and  influence  of  all  the  re- 
deemed had  been  combined  to  complete  the  glory  of 
Zion,  and  show  forth  the  manifold  wisdom  and  match- 
less grace  of  the  Triune  God. 

But  if,  at  present,  it  would  be  as  useless  as  it  is  im- 
possible, to  render  distinct  and  prominent  in  the  annals 
of  the  church,  the  life  and  death  of  eveiy  good  man, 
yet  there  has  ever  prevailed  a  just  and  general  expec- 
tation that  those,  who  have  been  blessed  with  distin- 
guished gifts  and  graces,  and  selected  by  heaven  as 
the  instruments  of  extensive  and  lasting  good,  should 
be  honored  after  death  with  some  enduring  memorial 
in  which  they  may  still  live  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
benefit  of  mankind.  Upon  the  map  of  Zion,  which  is 
to  give  faithful  instruction  to  future  ages,  the  Baptist 
denomination  in  the  United  States  will  be  laid  do.wn 


JESSE    MERCER.  11 

as  an  extensive  and  important  province  ;  and  in  that 
province  our  children  will  expect  to  sec  some  traces 
of  the  life  and  services  of  Jesse  Mercer. 

The  patriarchal  head  of  the  Mercer  family  was  a 
native  of  Scotland,  who  cmigi'ated  to  this  country 
about  the  close  of  the  seventeenth  century.  The  pa- 
teiTial  grandfather  of  Jesse  Mercer  was  one  of  his 
children,  and  was  bom  in  Virginia,  in  1713.  He  mar- 
ried his  first  wife  in  that  state,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children,  Lydia,  Silas  and  Rhoda.  His  second  wife 
was  Sarah  Simmons,  of  Currituck  county.  North  Caro^ 
lina,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children  ;  viz.  Jacob,  Tho- 
mas, Sarah,  Chloe,  Mary,  Vashti,  James,  Caleb  and 
John.  Two  only  of  this  numerous  family  are  now 
living,  Mr.  James  Mercer  of  Coweta  county,  and  Col. 
John  Mercer  of  Lee  county.  The  father  removed 
from  Virginia  to  North  Carolina,  (at  what  time  it  is 
not  certainly  kno^vn,)  and  resided  in  Currituck  county 
and  elsewhere  in  the  state  until  about  1767,  when  he 
emigrated  to  Georgia  and  settled  in  what  is  now 
Wilkes  .county.  He  and  his  family  suffered  many 
hardships  duiing  the  revolutionary  struggle.  He  was  . 
upwards  of  sixty  years  of  age  at  the  commencement 
of  the  war,  and  although  from  age  and  infiimity  he 
performed  no  actual  service,  yet  he  embraced  in  feeling 
the  cause  of  his  country,  with  patriotic  zeal.  Two  of 
his  sons,  Jacob*and  Thomas,  notwithstanding  they  had 
families,  were  engaged  in  active  service  during  nearly 
the  whole  war,  the  care  of  their  families  in  the  mean 
time  devolving  mainly  upon  their  aged  parent.  He 
died  at  the  residence  of  his  son  Silas,  in  Wilkes  county, 
in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age.  Through 
youth  and  middle  age  he  was  a  High  Churchman, 
and  for  a  long  time  officiated  in  North  Carolina  as 


12  MEMOIRS    OP 

clerk  of  the  parish,  and  perliaps  as  curate.  In  his  old 
age  he  and  his  wife  professed  conversion,  embraced 
the  peculiar  sentiments  of  the  Baptists,  and  were  bap- 
tized, probably  by  Daniel  Marshall. 

Silas  Mercer,  the  father  of  Jesse,  whose  name  will 
ever  occupy  an  honored  place  in  the  records  of  Ameri- 
can Baptists,    was  bom   near  Currituck  bay.  North 
Carolina,  February,  1745.     As  his  mother  died  when 
he  was  but  an  infant,  his  early  training  devolved  more 
exclusively  upon  the  hands  of  the  father,  who  being 
a  zealous  member  of  the   Church  of  England,  very 
carefully  instructed  him  in  the  doctrines  and  ceremo- 
nies   of   that    religious     denomination.     From    early 
childhood,  young  Silas  was  the  subject  of  serious  im- 
pressions, but  it  was  not  till  after  he  arrived  at  man- 
hood, that  he  experienced  a  saving  change.    Previous 
to  this  happy  event,  he  had  been  most  devotedly  at- 
tached to   the  rites  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  as 
violently   opposed  to  other  religious    denominations, 
and  especially  the  Baptists.     These  were  the  people 
that  above  all  others,  he  had  been  taught  to  dread ; 
and  he  carefully  and  conscientiously  shunned  them 
as  a  company  of  deceivers,  and  a  people  infected  with 
absurd   and  dangerous  heresies.     But   possessing   an 
independent  spirit,  and  endowed  with  a  vigorous  and 
discriminating  mind,   when  he   came  under  the   de- 
cided influence  of  correct  religious  principles,  he  was 
very   naturally  led  into  that   course  of   investigation 
which  gradually  carried  him    beyond  the  control  of 
educational  prejudice    and  traditionary  systems,  and 
established  him  at  last  in  a  faith  and  practice  more  in 
harmony  with  the  simplicity  of  the  gospel.      He  very 
soon  began  to  question  the   validity  of  sprinkling  as 
scripture  baptism,  and  in  accordance  with  the  rubric 


JESSE    MERCER.  13- 

of  the  Episcopal  church,  which  enjoined  immersion 
except  when  the  health  of  the  child  might  seem  to 
require  a  milder  mode,  he  had  two  of  his  children 
dipped.  The  first  was  Jesse,  the  subject  of  this  me- 
moir, Avho  was  immersed  in  a  barrel  of  water  at  the 
clergyman's  house ;  the  other  was  a  daughter  who 
was  subjected  to  the  same  ceremony  in  a  tub  prepared 
for  the  purpose  in  the  Episcopal  meeting-house. 

In  his  progi'ess  towards  more  just  and  scriptural 
views,  he  was  compelled  to  encounter  the  most  for- 
midable opposition.  His  father,  under  the  influence 
of  mistaken  zeal  and  affection,  cast  every  possible  ob- 
struction in  his  way ;  and  to  this  were  superadded  the 
sti-enuous  efforts  of  the  clergyman,  in  connexion  with 
all  his  Episcopal  brethren  around  him.  They  spared 
no  pains  to  keep  alive  his  prejudices  against  the  he- 
retical Baptists,  and  to  prevent  all  intercourse  with 
that  blind  and  infatuated  sect.  But  in  spite  of  his 
own  long  cherished  antipathies,  and  the  untiring  op- 
position of  beloved  and  honored  friends,  he  gained  his 
consent  at  length  to  attend  a  meeting  of  Baptists,  and 
listen  to  a  discourse  from  one  of  their  ministers. 
This  presumptuous  and  daring  act  provoked  his  fa- 
ther's resentment ;  and  as  the  tears  of  grief  and  an- 
ger gushed  from  his  eyes,  he  exclaimed,  "  Silas,  you 
arc  ruined .'"  But  neither  the  tears  nor  the  rebukes  of 
the  disajDpointed  father  jiroved  availing.  The  unrea- 
sonable prejudices  of  the  son  soon  began  to  yield,  and 
he  was  inclined  to  cheiish  more  kind  and  charitable 
feelings  towards  the  peoj)le  he  had  so  long  despised. 
Not  long  after  this  he  removed  with  his  family  to 
Georgia,  and  settled  in  Wilkes  county.  Having  at 
length  become  thoroughly  convinced  of  the  propriety 
of  believers'  bciptism,  he  was  immersed  about  the 


14  MEMOIRS    OF 

year  1775,  by  Mr.  Alexander  Scott,  and  became  a 
member  of  the  Kiokee  church.  He  rose  from  the 
water  as  it  were,  a  minister  of  the  gospel ;  for  before 
he  left  the  stream  where  he  was  immersed,  he  as- 
cended a  log  and  exhorted  the  surrounding  multitude. 
Having  been  formally  licensed  by  the  church,  he  at 
once  entered  upon  a  course  of  ministerial  labor, 
which  was  characterized  by  much  zeal,  ability  and 
usefulness.  During  the  revolutionary  struggle,  he 
fled  for  safety  to  Halifax  county  in  his  native  state, 
where  he  remained  six  years,  during  which  time  he 
was  incessantly  engaged  in  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
It  appears  from  his  journal,  that  he  preached,  upon 
an  average,  oftener  than  once  a  day ;  so  that  during 
his  six  years*  residence  in  North  Carolina,  he  deliv- 
ered more  than  two  thousand  discourses. 

About  the  close  of  the  war,  he  returned  with  his 
family  to  his  former  residence  in  Georgia,  some  seven 
miles  south  of  Washington,  where  he  remained  to  the 
end  of  his  days.  He  was  justly  regarded  as  one  of 
the  most  exemplary,  useful  and  pious  ministers  in  the 
Southern  states.     Several  interestinsr  churches  were 

o 

reared  up  under  his  faithful  labors.  Though  not  dis- 
tinguished for  his  literary  attainments,  he  was  never- 
theless the  devoted  friend  of  education,  especially  in 
the  ministry ;  and  to  promote  this  noble  object,  he 
established  a  school  near  his  own  house,  and  procured 
an  able  teacher  to  superintend  its  interests.  In  the 
midst  of  his  active  and  useful  labors,  he  was  arrested 
by  disease,  and  after  a  short  illness,  he  entered  into  his 
heavenly  rest,  in  the  fifty-second  year  of  his  age. 

He  devoted  considerable  time  to  study,  wi'ote  seve- 
ral pieces  on  important  subjects,  one  of  which,  entitled 
'*  Tyranny  Exposed,  and  True  Liberty  Discovered," 


JESSE    MERCER.  15 

was  published  in  a  pamphlet  of  sixty-eight  pages.  He 
was,  however,  more  distinguished  as  a  preacher  than 
a  writer. 

Jesse  Mercer  was  bom  in  Halifax  county.  North 
Carolina,  December  16,  1769.  He  was  the  eldest  of 
a  family  of  eight  children,  consisting  of  five  sons  and 
three  daughters.* 

*  The  followizig  are  their  names:  Jesse,  Ann,  Mary,  Daniel, 
Mourning,  Hermon,  Mount  Moriah,  and  Joshua.  The  third  and 
fifth  died  in  infancy.  Ann  was  born  in  177i,  joined  the  church  at 
Phillips'  Mill  in  her  fifteenth  year,  and  married  Mr.  Robertson,  of 
^Viikes  county,  in  her  seventeenth.  She  removed  witli  her  husband 
to  West  Tennessee  in  1822,  where  she  is  still  livi^jg,  in  widowhood, 
Mr.  Robertson  having  died  the  second  year  after  their  removal 

Daniel  was  born  in  1780.  His  fatlier  gave  him  a  good  educa- 
tion, and  he  made  teaching  his  profession,  in  which  he  was  highly 
distinguished.  A  large,  portion  of  the  eminent  men  in  the  state 
received  their  education,  ia  whole  or  in  part,  under  his  care.  He 
was  a  distinguished  Latin  scholar,  and  was  also  able  to  give  instruc- 
tion in  the  Greek.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  research,  and 
spoke  the  English  language  with  great  purity  and  precision.  He 
v^as  quite  facetious,  and  quick  at  repartee;  a  person  of  pleasing 
address,  and  fine  colloquial  powers.  At  the  same  time  he  is  said  to 
have  been  a  person  of  sound  judgment,  great  energy  and  decision  of 
character,  and  possessing  talents  of  a  higher  order,  in  the  estima- 
tion of  many  gootl  judges,  than  those  of  his  brother  Jesse.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Sarah  Tuggle,  of  Greene  county,  about  1812,  removed  to 
Henry  county  in   1826,  and  died  without  issue  in  1827. 

Mount  Moriah  was  born  in  1787,  joined  the  church  at  Williams* 
Creek  in  1809,  married  Miss  Ann  Edge,  of  Wilkes,  in  1316,  and 
died  in  Oglethorpe,  in  the  thirty-fifth  }  ear  of  his  age,  leaving  a  widow 
and  three  children,  who  are  still  living.  He  also  was  a  school  mas- 
ter by  profession;  but  not  having  received  a  classical  education,  his 
labors  as  a  teacher  were  confined  to  common  schools.  In  this  sphere 
he  is  said  to  have  been  distinguished.  He  was  remarkable  for  his 
peaceable,  humane,  kind-hearted,  and  affectionate  disposition. 

Heumon  and  Joshua  are  still  living.  The  former  was  born  in 
1784,  the  latter  about  1790;  they  have  both  been  for  a  long  lime 


16  SIEMOIRS    OF 

The  youthful  chai'acter  of  Jesse  is  described  by  sur- 
viving friends  as  almost  without  a  stain.     In  very  early 
life  there  w^as  seen  the  budding  of  many  of  those  amia- 
ble and  virtuous  traits,  which  so  much  distinguished 
him  in  after  life.     Under  the  influence  of  his  strong, 
native  good  sense,  a  remarkably  tender  conscience, 
and  great  self-control,  he  was  enabled  to  avoid,  not 
only  the  more  gross  excesses  of  youth,  which  are  often 
witnessed  with  the  deepest  regret  and  sorrow;  but 
those  more  slight  deviations  from  uprightness  and  pro- 
priety,  which,    in    subsequent   years,    are  frequently 
called  to  remembrance  with  mortification  and  self-re- 
proach.    A  venerable  uncle,*  at  the  particular  request 
of  the  writer,  has  generously  furnished  him  with  a 
sketch  of  the  youthful  days  of  his  nephew,  as  well  as 
of  some  interesting  incidents  connected  with  his  more 
advanced   life.     Several    extracts   from   this    sketch, 
(with  a  few  unimportant  corrections,)  will  be  intro- 
duced into  the  following  narrative;  as  they  will  fur- 
nish very  suitable  materials  for  illustrating  some  im- 
portant portions  of  Mr.  Mercer's  history,  which  must 
have  remained  an  entire  blank,  but  for  this  kind  and 
seasonable  contribution. 

Shortly  after  the  return  of  Silas  Mercer  to  Georgia, 
he  visited  his  aged  father,  who  had  previously  removed 
from  North  Carolina,  and  settled  on  Brier  Creek,  in 

members  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  are  also  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel. 

The  descendants  of  the  original  Mercer  family  are  now  scattered 
through  the  whole  of  the  middle,  southern  and  western  states,  and 
Texas.  Tradition  says  that  the  gallant  General  Mercer,  who  fell 
during  the  Revolution,  was  one  of  the  family  relatives.  Many  of 
them  are  yet  in  Virginia,  amongst  whom  is  the  distinguished  Charles 
Fenton  Mercer. 

*  Col.  John  Mercer,  of  Lee  county. 


JESSE    MERCEH.  17 

Buike  county.  Whilst  there,  he  gained  his  father's 
consent  to  remove  with  his  family  to  his  own  farm  in 
Wilkes,  that  he  might  be  more  comfortably  provided 
for  in  his  declining  yiears*  "  He  came  down,  (says  the 
writer  of  the  sketch  above  referred  to,)  for  my  father 
and  his  family  the  ensuing  fall,  and  brought  with  him 
his  son  Jesse,  a  veiy  spare  lad  about  thirteen  years  of 
age.  This  was  the  first  time  I  had  ever  seen  him. 
He  was  my  senior  by  nearly  seven  years.*  I  soon 
became  much  attached  to  him,  because  he  was  free- 
hearted, sociable  and  kind,  and  called  me  his  little 
uncle.  From  this  time,  we  were  brought  up  on  the 
same  farm,  about  seven  miles  south  of  Washington. 
From  the  intimacy  of  our  association,  I  of  course  knew 
him  well,  and  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  bear  testi- 
mony to  the  rectitude  of  his  juvenile  deportment. 
Although  a  mere  boy,  he  acted  the  part  of  the  prudent 
man,  that  foreseeth  the  evil  and  hideth  himself.  Per- 
haps I  may  as  well  say  here,  that  I  not  only  never 
knew  him  use  a  profane  word,  or  an  impious  expres- 
sion myself,  but  that  I  heard  him  say,  in  his  latter 
years,  he  had  never  used  an  oath  in  his  life,  not  even 
one  of  those  petty  oaths  that  too  often  fall  fi'om  the 
lips  of  persons  considered  moral,  or  that  indeed  some- 
times defomi  the  conversation  of  professors  of  religion. 
Nor  did  he  ever  pronounce  in  vain  the  Deity's  name, 
as  in  those  common  exclamations.  My  God !  Good 
Lord !  &c.  So  far  did  he  cany  the  piinciple  all 
through  his  life,  that  in  relating  an  incident,  or  an  an- 
ecdote, he  scrupulously  refrained  from  repeating  such 
oaths  as  might  be  connected  with  it. 

*  The  writer  of  this  sketch  was  only  a  half  brother  of  Silas  ]\Ier- 
cer,  being  the  s6n  of  a  second  wife:  this  will  account  for  his  being 
80  much  young;er  than  his  nephew  Jesse. 

2* 


18  MEMOIRS    OP 

*'  There  was  another  remarkable  trait  in  the  char- 
acter of  his  boyhood,  that  I  must  not  offiit.  He  had 
no  taste  for  the  common  plays  and  pastimes  of  other 
boys,  such  as  marbles,  fives,  town-ball,  and  the  like  ; 
and  seldom,  or  never,  took  part  in  any  of  them,  nor  in 
the  athletic  exercises  of  jumping,  wrestling,  and  box- 
ing. Once  only  did  I  ever  see  him  engaged  in  wrest- 
ling, and  that  was  with  his  uncle  James,  who  was  about 
his  ovni  age.  They  were  ploughing  in  a  field,  when 
I  suppose  they  agreed  to  make  trial  of  their  skill  in 
wrestling,  of  which,  by  the  by,  it  was  manifest  that 
neither  had  any,  from  their  awkward,  main-strength 
efforts  to  bring  each  other  down.  Down  they  came 
at  length,  and  rolled  and  tumbled  in  the  dirt  until  they 
were  both  fairly  exhau^ed  ;  when  they  arose  in  good 
humor,  brushed  each  other's  clothes,  and  resumed  their 
ploughing. 

"  Although  he  had  no  relish  for  games  of  chance, 
nor  those  athletic  sports  that  would  have  brought  him 
into  direct  collision  with  others,  it  was  not  from  a  soli- 
tary and  morose  disposition  ;  for  he  was  ever  ready  to 
join  his  associates,  when  opportunity  offered,  in  hunt- 
ino"  and  fishino-.  Indeed,  these  were  recreations  in 
which  he  always,  even  do^\Ti  to  a  late  period,  took 
great  delight.  At  that  early  day,  game  was  plentiful, 
and  when  he  had  leisure,  no  weather  was  so  inclement 
as  to  prevent  him  from  ranging  the  woods  for  deer  and 
turkeys,  or  coursing  the  river  and  mill-ponds  in  search 
of  wild  ducks.  At  a  later  day,  when  the  large  game 
had  disappeared,  he  often  amused  himself  in  hunt- 
ing squirrels,  rabbits,  and  other  small  game.  He  was 
a  good  shot,  and  I  have  known  him  spend  half  a  day 
at  a  time,  in  firing  at  a  mark. 

"  He  took  no  less  delight  in  fishing,  and  would  angle 


JESSE    MERCER.  19 

with  gi'eat  patience,  or  join  a  party  to  draw  the  seine, 
or  to  muddy  or  drain  a  pond.  After  we  were  nearly 
grown  up,  I  was  with  him  often  in  his  hunting  and  fish- 
ing excursions,  and  remember  well  his  zeal  in  those 
amusements.  We  would  lash  a  bundle  of  split  pine 
upon  our  backs,  like  a  knapsack,  and  with  a  torch 
in  one  hand,  and  a  gig  in  the  other,  sally  forth  to  the 
river,  a  distance  of  two  or  three  miles,  where  we  would 
fish  with  gixiat  zeal,  often  till  midnight,  and  perhaps 
for  all  this  toil  be  rewarded  with  not  more  than  half  a 
dozen  moUy-craicl-hottoms,  as  he  used  to  call  them. 
No  way  discouraged,  however,  it  would  not  be  long 
before  we  would  try  it  again  in  the  hope  of  better  luck. 
He  and  myself  alone  put  a  fall-trap  in  Little  River,  in 
which  we  were  very  successful  in  taking  fish,  when- 
ever we  would  take  the  precaution  to  lie  by  it  all  night, 
so  as  to  keep  the  rogues  off. 

"  Swimming,  a  useful  acquirement,  and  an  exercise 
so  highly  recommended  by  the  gi'eat  Franklin,  was  an 
art  that  he  piiactised  much,  and  of  which  he  was  very 
fond.  This  leads  me  to  sj^eak  of  an  act  of  heroism  and 
magnanimity,  (and  I  record  it  with  the  most  grateful 
feelings,)  by  which  I  was  rescued  from  a  watery  grave. 
To  him,  indeed,  I  owe  the  extension  of  my  natural 
iife  for  the  last  fifty-eight  years,  and  to  his  instrumen- 
tality, under  the  providence  of  God,  I  also  owe  the 
hope  I  have  of  eternal  life.  The  incident  alluded  to 
occurred  when  he  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age, 
and  was  as  follows  :  He  and  my  brother  James  agreed 
to  go  one  afternoon  to  practise  swimming,  and  I  ac- 
companied them.  They  seemed  greatly  to  enjoy  the 
pastime,  while  I  was  only  a  spectator,  for  I  was  only 
ten  years  old  and  could  not  swim.  Withal  the  place 
was  deep,  and  the  bank  on  the  side  we  approached 


20  MEMOIRS    OF 

precipitous.  But  on  the  opposite  side,  there  was  a 
nice  sandy  beach  and  shoal  water  ;  and  if  I  could  only 
reach  it,  I  too  might  enjoy  the  diversion.  My  nephew, 
seeing  my  anxiety,  said  that  if  I  would  undress  myself, 
he  would  take  me  across  on  his  back.  He  was  par- 
ticular in  directing  me  how  to  hold  on,  and  not  to 
climb  on  him,  as  that  would  put  him  under.  To  all 
this  I  promised  compliance,  but  we  had  no  sooner  set 
out,  than  sinking  deeper  in  the  water  than  I  had  anti- 
cipated, I  became  frightened,  and  notwithstanding  his 
remonstrances,  kept  climbing  on  him  as  he  sank  down, 
until  we  both  went  to  the  bottom.  His  only  resource 
was  to  disengage  himself  from  me,  which  he  did,  and 
rising,  he  reached  the  shore  in  almost  a  lifeless  state. 
He  neveitheless  kept  an  anxious  lookout  for  me,  ex- 
pecting me  to  rise.  I  shortly  did  so  at  some  distance 
down  the  stream,  when,  notwithstanding  his  exhaus- 
tion, he  fearlessly  plunged  after  me,  and  reaching  the 
spot  where  I  was  going  do^vn,  succeeded,  by  diving, 
in  laying  hold  of  me,  and  brought  my  apparently  life- 
less body  ashore  w4th  one  hand,  whilst  he  swam  with 
the  other.  By  rolling  me  in  the  sand,  and  using  such 
means  as  they  had  heard  recommended  in  such  cases, 
he  and  fny  brother  succeeded  in  restoring  me  to  life. 

"  He  was  a  staid,  discreet  and  sober  youth,  and 
never  visited  the  haunts  of  dissipation,  unless  imperi- 
ously called  there  by  business.  He  was  very  even- 
tempered  and  uniform  in  his  conduct ;  was  never  de- 
jected, morose  and  sulky,  nor,  on  the  other  hand,  did 
he  give  way  to  uproarious  mirth,  which  was  veiy  com- 
mon in  those  days,  at  log-rollings,  house-raisings, 
coni-shuckings,  &c.  He  would,  however,  in  relating 
little  stories  and  anecdotes,  indulge  freely  in  a  kind 
of  quiet  humor  that  was  peculiar  to  him,^nd  would 


JfiSSE    MEllCEU.  21 

get  off'  his  nan'ative  with  a  variety  of  posture  and  ges- 
ticulation wholly  original,  and  somewhat  awkward 
and  rustic,  such  as  tossing  his  head  in  a  peculiar 
manner ;  shi-ugging  up  his  shoulders  ;  or  if  on  his 
feet,  w^alking  to  and  fro  with  a  peculiar  swing  of  the 
body,  using  now  a  short  step,  and  then  a  longer  one, 
placing  one  arm  behind  him  and  resting  it  across  his 
back,  advancing  and  then  receding,  &c.  Much  of 
this  peculiarity  of  manner  he  retained  through  his 
life,  as  you  and  thousands  of  others  will  remember. 
These  peculiarities,  aided  perhaps  by  his  natural  gra*- 
vity,  occasioned  some  to  say  th^  he  was  proud ;  and 
by  being  privately  informed  of  it  by  a  friend,  he  took 
no  other  notice  of  it  than  in  a  sermon  shortly  after, 
when  he  had  occasion  to  speak  of  pride  and  to  define 
it.  Said  he,  'some  &ay  that  /  am  proud;  true,  so  I 
am,  as  proud  as  Beelzebub  can  make  me,  but  I  pray 
for  more  grace.'  He  was  benefited  by  the  improve- 
ment of  manners  consequent  upon  the  increase  of 
Avealth  and  learning  in  the  country,  yet  he  never  at- 
tained, either  to  a  very  polite  caniage  in  his  private 
intercourse  with  society,  or  to  a  gi'aceful  manner  in 
the  pulpit.  ■  • 

**  He  had  great  command  of  his  passions,  as  I  have 
before  intimated.  I  never  knew  him  to  have  a  fit  of 
anger  on  account  of  any  accident  that  was  either  pro- 
vidential, or  the  result  of  carelessness,  nor  on  ac- 
count of  any  personal  wrong  or  insult.  Indeed,  I  do 
not  think  he  ever  had  a  personal  quan'el  with  either 
man  or  woman  through  his  whole  life.  He  was  also 
a  man  of  gi'eat  fortitude  and  firmness  ;  and  met  with 
calm  determination  every  untoward  event  of  his  life, 
both  temporal  and  religious. 

•'  He  was  a  pattern  of  filial  obedience,  submitting 


22  MEMOIRS    OF 

cheerfully  to  every  command  of  his  parents.  During 
the  frequent  absence  of  his  father,  who  was  from  home 
at  least  one  half  of  his  time,  he  was  never  disobedi- 
ent to  his  mother,  but  on  the  contrary,  treated  her 
with  the  utmost  respect  and  deference,  and  obeyed 
her  with  alacrity.  Death  alone  parted  him  and  his 
mother,  between  whom  there  was  a  reciprocal  warmth 
of  affection  that  I  have  scarcely  ever  seen  equalled, 
certainly  never  surpassed.  He  was  the  favorite  child 
of  his  father  also,  and  the  tenderness  and  indulgence 
which  he  showed  towards  him,  would,  if  a  boy  of  or- 
dinary parts  and  disposition,  have  made  a  spoiled 
child." 

Mr.  Mercer  enjoyed  in  his  early  youth  but  limited 
advantages  for  mental  improvement.  It  is  not  certain 
that  he  had  ever  been  sent  to  school  previous  to  the 
return  of  his  father  from  North  Carolina.  Owing  to 
the  scattered  state  of  the  population,  it  was  some  little 
time  before  a  school  could  be  established ;  but  after 
some  delay  one  was  opened  about  four  miles  from  his 
father's  residence,  which  he  attended  for  a  time,  walk- 
ing the  whole  distance  night  and  morning.  The  year 
following,  a  school  wa§  organized  about  a  mile  and  a 
half  nearer,  in  which  he  was  a  pupil  for  the  space  of 
two  years. 

Some  of  the  circumstances  related  in  the  foregoing 
narrative  may  seem  to  many  quite  unimportant ;  yet 
there  is  often  a  peculiar  satisfaction  in  contemjDlating 
even  trifling  incidents  in  the  lives  of  great  men,  and 
especially  those  connected  with  their  youthful  history, 
which  shadow  forth  those  noble  qualities  that  after- 
wards distinguish  them.  Those  who  have  been  inti- 
mately acquainted  vsdth  the  life  and  character  of  that 
great  and  good  man  whose  history  we  are  now  re- 


JESSE    MERCER.  23 

cording,  cannot  fail  of  discerning  in  some  of  the  little 
incidents  just  rehearsed,  at  least  a  few  glimmering 
types  of  that  stable  and  unaffected  kindness,  that 
marked  decorum  and  prudence,  that  striking  origi- 
nality, that  manlike  firmness  and  independent  recti- 
tude, that  quiet,  yet  unwavering  zeal  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  approved  objects,  which  were  so  conspicuous 
in  subsequent  life. 

But  it  is  time  to  notice  a  more  important  portion  of 
his  youthful  history  ;  that  which  refers  to  his  early  re- 
ligious exercises,  and  which  cannot  fail  to  interest  the 
pious  reader.  A  brief  outline  of  these  exercises  were 
many  years  after  imbodied  by  himself  in  a  hymn 
which  he  published  in  his  Cluster;*  but  his  uncle  has 
furnished  a  more  full  and  satisfactory  account  of  his 
experience,  which  he  relates  in  substance,  as  he  often 
heard  it  from  the  lips  of  his  honored  relative  in  pri- 
vate conversation,  and  in  fragments  from  the  pulpit. 
It  is  as  follows : 

***  Having  been  raised,'  said  he,  *by  pious  parents,  I 
was  taught  to  believe  that  the  scriptures  were  the 
word  of  God,  and  that  I  must  conform  my  life  to 
them,  that  it  might  be  well  with  me  in  this  world,  and 
that  which  is  to  come.  When  I  was  no  more  than 
five  or  six  years  old,  I  felt  conscious  that  I  was  a  sin- 
ner, and  was  concerned  about  my  future  state,  so 
much  so,  that  I  frequently  prayed ;  and  so  I  continued 
alternately  praying  and  sinning  until  I  was  about  fif- 
teen years  old.  At  this  age,  I  was  more  seriously  im- 
pressed with  a  sense  of  the  wickedness  of  my  heart, 
and  its  alienation  from  God.  I  believed  he  was  too 
holy  £o  conform  himself  to  my  pleasure,  and  allow  me 
to  live  in  sin,  and  not  bring  me  into  judgment  for  it. 

♦  No.  233. 


24  MEMOIRS    OF 

I  feared  ^e  judgment,  because  I  had  done  only  evil 
and  that  continually ;  and  now  to  do  good  and  please 
G-od  was  the  important  work  before  me.  This  I  be- 
lieved was  to  be  accomplished  by  praying,  reading 
the  scriptures,  and  going  to  meeting  to  hear  the  gos^ 
pel  preached.  To  all  this  I  gave  attention,  with  some-^ 
times  more  and  sometimes  less  anxiety  and  diligence 
for  nearly  three  years,  when  I  found  myself  nothing 
better,  but  rather  worse  than  when  I  first  began  to 
seek  the  Lord.  My  heart  became  hard  and  unfeeling, 
and  I  wondered  that  God,  who  was  angry  with  the 
wicked  every  day,  had  not  long  since  cut  me  off  and 
sent  me  to  destruction, — a  condemnation  which  my 
conscience  could  not  but  have  approved.  I  now  felt 
a  deeper  and  more  abiding  concern,  but  what  to  do  I 
knew  not,  for  it  was  now  suggested  that  there  was  no 
hope  for  me,  but  that  the  time  once  was,  when  I  first 
sought  the  Lord,  when  my  conscience  was  tender, 
when  I  was  young  and  had  committed  but  little  sin, 
that  the  Saviour  would  have  taken  me  in  the  arms  of 
his  love  and  blessed  me ;  but,  inasmuch  as  I  had  cast 
oft"  those  early  impressions,  and  desired  that  God 
Avould  connive  at  my  love  of  sin,  and  still  take  me  to 
heaven  when  I  died,  and  thus  rejected  the  Lord  in  my 
childhood,  the  promise  **  suffer  little  children  to  come 
unto  me  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  kinjr- 
dom  of  heaven,"  was  to  me  lost,  forever  lost.  I  now 
thought  I  was  given  over  to  unbelief  and  hardness  of 
heart,  to  spend  the  remainder  of  my  days  in  hopeless 
despair.  Whatever  my  end  might  be,  it  was,  how- 
ever, my  heart's  desire  that  I  might  sin  no  more. 

"  '  I  now  thought  I  had  a  clear  view  of  the  plan  of 
salvation  through  Jesus  Christ,  and  saw  plainly  how 
sinners  might  be  saved  who  would  come  unto  him 
aright,    confessing   their  sins    and    believing  on  his 


JESSE    MERCER.  25 

name.     Seeing  it  thus,  I  tried  with  all  the  faculties  of 
my  soul  to  believe,  but  could  not ;  and  so  I  concluded 
I  had  not  come  aright,  and  was  rejected.     I  was  glad, 
and  in  my  greatest  distress  rejoiced  that  others  could 
beheve  in  Christ,  and  by  believing,  flee  the  wrath  to 
come.     My  heart's  desire  was  to  be  holy,  and  I  loved 
Grod  because  he  was  holy.    I  trembled  at  the  thoughts 
of  the  gi'eat  day  of  final  retribution,  when  I  must  be 
driven  out  from  the  presence  of  the  great  God  who 
made  me,  and  whom  I  adored.    My  secret  desire  then 
was,  that  others  might  be  saved,  for  I  wanted  none  to 
accompany  me  in  my  banishment  from  Heaven  to  the 
regions  of  misery  and  despair  to  which  I  believed  I 
was  doomed.     I  had  been  some  three  years  earnestly 
seeking  the  forgiveness  of  my  sins,  and  had  seen  the 
time  when  I  could  weep  over  them,  but  now  my  heart 
was  hardened,  and  my  tears  all  dried  up,  save  only  to 
weep  because  I  could  not  weep.     While  on  the  verge 
of  despair,  I  was  walking  alone  along  a  narrow,  soli- 
tary path  in  the  woods,  poring  over  my  helpless  case, 
and  saying  to  myself  wo  is  me  !  wo,  wo  is  me  !  for  I 
am  undone  for  ever  !    I  would  I  were  a  beast  of  the 
field ! — At  length,  I  found  myself  standing  with  my 
eyes  steadfastly  fixed  on  a  small  oak  that  grew  by  the 
path-side,  and  earnestly  wishing  that  I  could  be  like 
the  little  oak  when  it  died  and  crumbled  to  dust.     At 
that  moment  light  broke  into  my  soul,  and  I  believed 
in  Christ  for  myself  and  not  another,  and  went  on  my 
way  rejoicing.'  " 

It  appears  from  the  records  of  the  Phillips'  Mill 
church,  that  he  made  a  relation  of  his  Christian  expe- 
rience to  that  church,  July  7th,  17S7,  and  was  re- 
ceived as  a  candidate  for  baptism.  He  was  baptized 
by  his  father,  (probably  on  the  following  day,)  being 
then  in  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age. 


26  MEMOIRS    OF 


CHAPTER  II. 

Mr.  Mercer's  first  public  exercises. — His  marrioge. — Brief  notica 
of  bis  first  wife. — His  ordination. — Personal  appearance. — Cull 
to  Hutton's  Fork  church. — Attends  to  his  mental  improvement  — 
Call  to  another  church  and  removal  to  Oglethorpe. — His  doubts 
as  to  his  call  to  the  ministry. — Distressing  temptation. — Death  of 
his  father  and  his  return  to  Wilkes. — Succeeds  his  father  in  the 
charge  of  his  churches. 

Shortly  after  Mr.  Mercer  connected  himself  with 
the  church,  an  intense  anxiety  was  awakened  in  his 
bosom  for  the  salvation  of  his  fellow  men.  He  was 
strongly  impelled  to  address  them  on  the  way  of  life 
through  a  crucified  Redeemer,  and  an  opportunity 
soon  presenting  itself  for  the  gratification  of  his  de- 
sires, he  commenced  his  public  exercises  in  a  manner 
which  afforded  pleasing  evidence  of  his  strong  natural 
powers,  and  of  the  purity  and  waiTnth  of  his  Clnistian 
zeal ;  and  which  excited  amongst  his  pious  friends  high 
expectations  of  future  usefulness  and  distinction. 
"  His  first  public  "effbrts,"  says  the  venerable  relative 
from  whose  narrative  we  have  already  quoted  so 
freely,  "  was  made  in  his  grandmother  Mercer's 
house,  an  humble  log  cabin,  within  a  hundred  yards 
from  his  father's  dwelling,  on  the  occasion  of  a  Sab- 
bath-day prayer  meeting.  The  subject  of  his  exhor- 
tation was  the  general  judgment.  He  became  deeply 
excited  in  warning  his  neighbors,  and  more  particu- 
larly his  associates,  to  flee  from  the  vnrath  to  come, 
and  to  prepare  for  that  tremendous  day.  I  was  much 
astonished  at  his  gestures,  his  ardor  and  his  expres- 
sions, many  of  which  I  remember  to  this  very  hour. 
His  grandmother  ^seemed  to  be  overwhelmed   with 


JESSE    MERCER.  27 

joy  at  this  first  attempt,  spoke  much  of  it  in  the  fa- 
mily, and  in  some  degree  predicted  his  subsequent 
usefuhiess.  There  was  preaching  occasionally  in  my 
mother's  house,  and  a  few  pious  persons  kept  up  a 
prayer-meeting  there  and  at  other  places  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. This  gave  him  frequent  opportunities  for 
exercising  in  prayer  and  exhortation,  which  he  took 
advantage  of  with  manifest  improvement.  Witnessing 
his  zeal,  piety,  and  doctrinal  ability,  he  was  encouraged 
by  his  father,  by  his  uncle  Thomas  Mercer,  who  was 
a  minister  of  the  gospel,  his  uncle  Jacob  Mercer,  and 
some  others  of  the  leading  members  of  the  church,  so 
that  he  soon  began  to  preach,  and  to  hold  forth  Christ 
publicly  as  the  way  of  life  and  salvation  to  a  perish- 
ing world."  It  does  not  appear  from  the  records  of 
the  church  at  what  time  he  received  a  formal  license, 
but  there  is  every  reason  to  justify  the  belief  that 
from  the  first  commencement  of  his  public  efforts,  he 
had  the  entire  approbation  of  his  brethren  generally. 

On  the  31st  of  January,  1788,  being  then  in  his 
nineteenth  year,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sabrina  Chivers,  daughter  of  Mr.  Joel  Chivers,  and 
at  the  time  of  their  mamage,  step-daughter  of  Mr. 
Oftnial  Weaver,  of  Wilkes  county.  She  was  a  pious 
and  orderly  member  of  the  Phillips'.  Mill  church,  hav- 
ing been  baptized  about  the  same  time  that  Mr.  Mer- 
cer became  a  member.  This  union  seemed  to  have 
been  peculiarly  suitable,  and  was  the  source,  in  after 
years,  of  much  domestic  enjoyment.  Miss  Chivers 
was  a  poor  orphan  girl,  bringing  to  her  husband  upon 
their  mamage,  a  no  larger  portion  of  worldly  goods 
than  a  feather  bed ;  yet  she  possessed  what  was  far 
more  essential  than  mere  earthly  treasures,  piety,  pru- 
dence, industrious  habits,  and  a  heart  devoted  to  the 


28  MEMOIRS    OF 

comfort  and  usefulness  of  her  companion.  The  wri- 
ter cannot  forbear,  in  this  connexion,  presenting  in 
her  favor,  the  testimony  of  one  that  knew  her  welL 
*'  She  was  indeed  a  help-meet  for  her  husband ;  for, 
beside  her  ordinary  domestic  duties,  she  spun  and 
wove  with  her  own  hands,  all  the  cloth  he  wore,  and 
gained  not  a  little  renown  through  the  country,  for  the 
neatness  and  beauty  of  her  manufacture.  Notwith- 
standing she  was  a  most  affectionate  wife,  and  de- 
lighted in  the  company  of  her  husband,  she  was  very 
careful  to  throw  no  obstacle  in  the  way  of  his  fulfilling 
his  appointments  punctually,  and  was  always  mindful 
to  have  his  clothes  put  up,  and  every  thing  ready. 
She  submitted  with  great  fortitude  to  the  lonely  life 
that  she  led  in  his  absence,  which  was  relieved  only 
by  the  company  of  one  of  her  maiden  sisters,  (of 
whom  she  had  several,)  who  usually  staid  with  her. 
It  was  from  a  proper  estimate  of  the  importance  of 
the  work  in  which  he  was  engaged,  and  not  from  any 
indifterence  towards  him,  that  she  so  cheerfully  gave 
up  his  company.  If  there  was  a  probability  of  his 
detention  by  high  waters  and  inclement  weather,  she 
could  hardly  be  drawn  off  to  talk  of  any  thing  else ; 
and  accustomed  to  his  punctuality,  she  would  be  con- 
stantly peering  through  a  little  chink,  (she  had  one 
opening  towards  each  end  of  the  road,)  looking  with 
the  liveliest  interest  for  his  return.  As  soon  as  he  ap- 
peared, she  would  cry  out  '  yonder  he  comes !  poor 
thing!'  and  dropping  every  thing,  would  runout  to 
meet  him  with  the  greatest  joy. 

'*  For  the  first  ten  or  twelve  years  after  their  mar- 
riage, she  was,  in  the  strictest  sense,  a  keeper  at 
home,  and  proved  herself  a  most  frugal  and  industri- 
ous wife  ;  in  which  respect,  indeed,  few  females  ever 


JESSE    lll^.RCER.  29 

excelled  her.  She  was  extravagantly  fond  of  infants 
and  children,  (it  mattered  little  whose  they  were,)  ca- 
ressed them  much,  and  treated  them  with  the  utter- 
most tenderness  and  affection.  In  the  absence  of 
these  objects  her  passion  seemed  to  be  transferred, 
in  a  measure,  to  the  young  of  the  inferior  animals, 
such  as  lambs,  pigs,  and  even  poultry,  which  she  would 
feed  and  nurse  with  great  care.  After  this,  when  the 
family  had  become  more  affluent,  she  travelled  much 
with  her  husband,  and  eventually  died  in  the  upper 
part  of  South  Carolina,  in  the  month  of  Se2:)tem- 
ber,  1826." 

But  to  return  to  the  history  of  Mr.  Mercer,  "  I  do 
not  remember  distinctly,"  says  his  uncle,  '*  how  he 
employed  himself  for  the  first  year  after  his  maniage, 
but  am  under  the  impression  that  he  went  to  school. 
He  lived  in  his  father's  house.  His  father  gave  him 
a  hundred  acres  of  land  about  a  mile  distant,  and  in 
the  Fall  or  Winter  of  that  year,  he  erected  upon  it  a 
neat  log-cabin,  and  opened  a  small  farm  to  which  he 
removed,  and  where  he  resided  for  two  years."  In 
the  mean  time  he  zealously  jjrosecuted  his  ministerial 
labors,  expounding  the  scriptures  in  an  orthodox  and 
able  manner,  and  affording  gratifying  evidence  to  those 
who  heard  him,  of  his  rapid  advancement  in  the  know- 
ledge of  divine  things.  A  short  time  before  the  com- 
pletion  of  his  twentieth  year,  he  was  called  by  the 
church  to  ordination,  and  was  solemnly  set  apart  to 
the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  From  his  creden- 
tials, of  which  the  following  is  a  copy,  it  appears  that 
his  father,  Silas  Mercer,  and  Sanders  Walker  were  the 
ofHciating  ministers.* 

*  It  is  probable  that  a  Mr.  Hutson  also  assisted  on  this  occasion. 
In  the  minutes  of  the  church  confcrrnct^  held  November  7ih,  1789, 


30  memoirs  of 

"  Georgia,  > 
JVilkes  County^  )  These  are  to  certify,  that  we,  being 
duly  called  as  a  Presbytery,  have  examined  into  the 
character,  call  and  qualifications  of  our  beloved  bro- 
ther, Jesse  Mercer,  and  w^ith  the  consent  of  the 
church  of  Christ  at  Phillips'  Mill,  to  which  he  belongs, 
have,  by  fasting  and  prayer,  and  imposition  of  hands, 
set  him  apart  to  the  great  work  of  the  ministry. 

"  And  he  is  hereby  authorized  to  exercise  himself 
in  the  several  parts  of  the  ministerial  functions,  where 
he  may  be  called,  whether  occasionally  or  stated[ly]. 
Given  under  our  hands,  this  seventh  day  of  Novem- 
ber, one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-nine. 

Sanders  Walker, 
Silas  Mercer." 

From  the  above  it  appears  that  fasting  was  con- 
nected with  the  ordination  services  ;  a  practice  which 
the  subject  of  this  memoir  uniforaily  recommended 
as  important  on  such  solemn  occasions,  being  in  his 
view  enforced  by  the  scripture  example  recorded  in 
Acts  xiii.  3. 

It  might  not  be  unsuitable  in  this  place,  to  say 
something  of  Mr.  Mercer's  personal  appearance  in  the 
pulpit  at  the  commencement  of  his  public  ministry. 
It  is  said  to  have  been  any  thing  but  prepossessing. 
He  was  slender,  and  awkward  in  the  extreme.  Old 
Mr.  AVhatley,  who  was  a  very  good  but  eccentric 

there  is  the  following  item:  "  Brethren  Sanders  Walker  and  James 
Hutson  met  according  to  appointment,  and  proceeded  to  examine 
into  the  call  and  qualifications  of  Brother  Jesse  Mercer,  and  being 
satisfied  with  bim,  he  was  set  apart  by  imposition  of  hands  to  the 
great  work  of  the  ministry."  If  Mr.  Hutson  was  one  of  the  or- 
daining presbytery,  his  name  should  have  been  to  the  certificate  of 
orJination.     Its  absence  the  writer  is  not  able  to  account  for. 


JESSE    MERCER.  31 

brother,  and  of  wliom  some  of  our  aged  brethren  re- 
tam  many  pleasant  and  amusing  recollections,  was 
once  heard  to  say,  "  when  Jesse  was  young,  he  was 
one  of  the  ugliest,  most  unpromising  creatures  I  ever 
saw;  but  ive  have  made. him  a  pretty  boy."  In  after 
life,  when  his  mind  began  to  develope  itself,  and  the 
roughness  of  his  manners  was  somewhat"  softened 
down,  this  same  old  brother  remarked,  that  he  thought 
Jesse  was  one  of  the  prettiest  men  he  ever  saw  in  his 
life.  But  the  slender  frame  and  awkward  manners 
of  his  youthful  days  could  not  conceal  his  worth ;  as 
veins  of  gold  glitter  through  the  sides  of  an  unpol- 
ished mountain  crag ;  so  his  vigorous  mind  and  ar- 
dent zeal  darted  their  brilliant  fires  through  the  rough 
exterior,  engasrinor  the  notice  and  excitinor  the  admi- 
ration  of  all  around. 

After  his  ordination,  he  seemed  to  feel  that,  in  a  pe- 
culiar sense,  he  belonged  to  Christ  and  to  his  blessed 
cause,  and  it  was  the  habitual  and  absorbing  desire  of 
his  heart,  that  he  might  be  a  useful  minister  of  the 
gospel.  An  increased  interest  was  felt  by  his  brethren 
in  his  ministrations,  and  though  so  very  young,  he  re- 
ceived a  call  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  called 
Hutton's  Fork,  (now  Sardis,)  in  Wilkes  county.  He 
accepted  the  call,  and  continued  his  useful  and  faith- 
ful labors  amongst  that  people,  for  more  than  twenty 
years. 

His  improvement  was  perceptible,  and  yet  he 
needed  and  desired  more.  His  father,  who,  as  we 
have  seen,  was  a  liberal  patron  of  education,  encou- 
raged him  to  engage  in  the  study  of  the  learned  lan- 
guages. His  consent  was  easily  gained,  and  selling 
out  his  little  farm,  he  removed  with  his  wife  to  a  small 
dwelling  on  Fishing  Creek,  near  a  respectable  school. 


32  MEMOIRS    OF 

The  institution  was  under  the  charge  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Springer,  a  Presbyterian  clergyman  of  considerable 
learning  and  talent ;  and  withal,  an  able  minister  of 
the  gospel.  At  this  school  he  continued  for  two  years, 
not  neglecting,  however,  in  the  mean  time,  his  duties 
at  Hutton's  Fork,  nor  allowing  his  other  Sabbaths  to 
pass  by  unoccupied.  He  would  occasionally  accom- 
pany Mr.  Springer  to  his  meetings,  who,  it  seems  had 
become  strongly  attached  to  Mr.  Mercer,  for  his  Chris- 
tian zeal  and  promising  talents,  and  who  readily  em- 
braced every  convenient  opportunity  to  give  him 
instruction  in  theology.  The  parental  care  and  faith- 
ful counsels  and  instructions  of  this  good  man  were 
of  great  advantage  to  Mr.  Mercer.  Of  this  he  was 
fully  sensible,  and  he  never  ceased  to  cherish  towards 
this  worthy  benefactor,  feelings  of  the  greatest  respect 
and  veneration.  At  his  death,  which  occuiTed  about 
the  year  1800,  he  composed  an  appropriate  and  affect- 
ing eulogy  on  his  character.  The  friendship  which 
existed  between  these  individuals  at  that  day,  when 
sectarianism  and  religious^bigotry  held  a  more  powerful 
sway  than  at  present,  reflects  great  honor  upon  them 
both. 

About  the  time  that  Mr.  Mercer  removed  to  Fish- 
ing Creek,  his  father,  assisted  by  some  of  his  wealthy 
and  intelligent  neighbors,  established  his  school, 
(known  by  the  name  of  Salem,)  under  the  rectorship 
of  Mr.  Rodolphus  BroAvn ;  who  dying  in  the  course 
of  the  year,  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  James  Armor. 
Under  the  care  of  the  last  named  gentleman,  who 
continued  in  charge  of  the  institution  for  several 
years,  it  acquired  considerable  celebrity.  Its  advan- 
tages being  sufficiently  inviting,  Mr.  Mercer,  after  an 
absence  of  about  two  years,  returned  to  his  father's. 


JESSE    MERCER.  33 

put  up  a  cabin  within  a  few  yards  of  the  academy, 
and  continued  for  another  year  the  study  of  the  lan- 
guages, and  such  other  branches  of  learning  as  were 
deemed  of  the  most  importance.  He  still  prosecuted 
his  ministerial  labors,  visiting  regularly  the  church  of 
which  he  had  taken  the  oversight,  preaching  in  the 
school  house  of  nights,  and  improving  his  vacant 
Saturdays  and  Sundays  in  such  openings  around  as 
were  providentially  presented.  But  he  did  not  es- 
cape the  animadversions  and  complaints  of  the  preju- 
diced and  the  ignorant.  *'  It  is  not  Latin  and  Greek, 
and  mathematics,"  said  they,  "  that  make  a  2:5reachcr, 
but  grace  in  the  heart,  and  a  call  to  the  work."  They 
thouo^ht  it  a  needless  waste  of  time  for  Mr.  Mercer  to 
pore  over  his  musty  school  books,  when  the  field  was 
open  before  him  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel. 

His  academic  course  was,  however,  rather  limited 
and  imperfect ;  he  did  not  attain  to  a  very  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  learned  languages,  though  it 
was  sufficient  to  assist  him  much  in  after  life,  to  make 
out  criticisms  on  difficult  passages  of  Scripture.  His 
knowledge  of  the  principles  of  English  grammar  was 
not  entirely  thorough ;  hi^  orthogiaphy  was  incom- 
plete, and  indeed  continued  defective  through  life  ; 
and  in  other  respects  he  came  short  even  of  an  accu- 
rate elementaiy  education.  Still  his  limited  course  of 
literary  and  theological  training  was  of  inestimable 
advantage.  It  taught  him  the  use  of  books,  improved 
his  language,  gave  him  a  more  exact  and  comprehen- 
sive view  of  the  gospel  scheme,  and  enabled  him  to 
give  to  his  thoughts  a  more  clear  and  logical  arrange- 
ment. It  also  sers'ed  to  awaken  in  his  bosom  the 
needful  consciousness  of  his  own  mental  capabilities, 
and  brought  into  wholesome  and  well  directed  action 

3 


34  MEMOIRS    OF 

those  acute  and  vigorous  powers  which,  in  their  more 
full  and  ample  development,  enabled  him  to  grapple 
with  a  master  hand,  the  most  difficult  and  sublime 
subjects  in  the  system  of  revealed  truth. 

In  the  acquisition  of  his  education,  he  derived  but 
little  assistance  from  his  father,  whose  circumstances 
were  limited,  hardly  allowing  him  the  means  for  the 
education  of  his  rising  family,  much  less  for  the  as- 
sistance of  his  married  son.  His  own  industry  and 
frugal  management,  with  perhaps  some  occasional 
donations  from  his  brethren,  constituted  the  resources 
upon  which  he  had  mainly  to  depend.  It  is  proper, 
however,  that  it  should  here  be  stated  that  in  1792, 
*'  the  General  Committee  for  the  Charleston  Baptist 
Education  Fund,"  assisted  him  with  d£10,  and  after- 
wards, with  a  small  supply  of  books.  That  very  re- 
spectable and  efficient  body  could  hardly  have  made  a 
more  judicious  and  fortunate  appropriation. 

The  field  of  Mr.  Mercer's  labors  was  soon  enlarged. 
In  the  course  of  1793,  he  accepted  of  the  pastorship 
of  the  church  at  Indian  Creek,  (or  Bethany,)  in  Ogle- 
thorpe county,  and  removed  the  ensuing  winter  to 
its  vicinity.  He  there  was  enabled,  principally  by  the 
assistance  of  hired  labor,  to  support  his  family,  whilst 
he  devoted  himself  v/ith  gi'eat  diligence  to  the  duties 
of  his  sacred  calling.  Occasionally,  however,  he  would 
labor  diligently  with  his  own  hands,  (for  from  child- 
hood he  was  industrious  and  inured  to  hardship  ;)  but 
he  did  not  allow  the  cares  of  his  farm  to  interfere  with 
his  ministerial  duties,  the  proper  and  faithful  dis- 
charge of  which  he  ever  kept  before  him,  as  the 
gi'eat  object  and  aim  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Mercer,  like  most  other  ministers,  was  occasion- 
ally harassed  with  fears  that  he  was  not  called  of  God, 


JESSE    MERCER.  35 

to  the  work  of  preaching  the  Gospel.  About  the  time 
to  which  our  narrative  has  now  brought  us,  (possibly 
a  little  earlier,)  he  accompanied  his  father  to  North  Ca- 
rolina, where  a  trifling  incident  occurred  which  gave 
him  great  uneasiness.  For  a  time,  it  caused  him  to 
doubt  whether  he  was  even  a  Christian,  much  more 
whether  he  was  a  Christian  minister.  "  I  was  travel- 
ling," said  he,  **  with  my  father  in  North  Carolina  :  we 

had  preached  at  Meeting-House,  and  gone  home 

with  an  old  friend  of  my  father's  to  spend  the  night. 
Having  preached  that  day,  and  travelled  a  consider- 
able distance,  and,  withal,  through  a  drizzling  rain,  I 
was  a  good  deal  fatigued  when  we  arrived,  and  I  com- 
plained of  my  weariness.  After  supper,  the  kind-heart- 
ed old  brother  had  a  fine  armed  chair  brousrht  out  for 
my  accommodation,  which  I  occupied  with  great  com- 
fort during  the  tete  a  tete  betwixt  him  and  my  father. 
Bed  time  at  length  arriving,  the  family  assembled  for 
evening  worship,  in  which  my  father  officiated.  Dur- 
ing the  serv^ice,  I  fell  fast  asleep  in  ray  comfortable 
arm-chair,  and  slept  so  soundly  that  I  lost  the  whole  of 
the  prayer,  and  awoke  only  upon  the  rattling  of  the 
chairs  in  the  rising  up  of  the  company.  Instantly  I  was 
awake,  and  wide  awake,  for  I  Vv^as  filled  with  remorse, 
shame  and  confusion.  We  soon  retired  to  bed,  but 
there  was  no  rest  for  me  that  night.  As  soon  as  I  was 
alone,  I  said  within  myself — what  shall  I  do  now  1  O, 
that  I  was  at  home  !  for  how  shall  I  look  my  father  and 
this  genteel  family  (for  they  were  people  of  wealth  and 
distinction)  in  the  face,  after  this !  and  the  report  of 
my  shameful  conduct  will,  no  doubt,  soon  go  abroad. 
It  will  be  said  that  the  Rev.  Silas  Mercer  and  his  son 
Jesse,  who  is  also  commencing  minister,  are  travelling 
and  preaching  in  North  Carolina.    The  old  gentleman, 


3G  MEMOIRS  OF 

it  is  true,  is  a  preacher  of  some  distinction,  but  as  for 
his  son,  we  think  he  had  better  give  up  preaching; 
why,  he  preached  the  other  day  at ,  and  upon  go- 
ing home  with  Mr. ,  fell  fast  asleep  in  an  arm-chair 

during  solemn  family  devotion,  conducted  by  his  father 
— did  not  know,  nor  even  say  amen  /  Surely,  although 
he  seems  to  be  zealous  in  the  pulpit,  and  exhorts  others 
to  watch  and  pray,  his  heart  cannot  be  in  it,  or  he 
would  not  fall  asleep  in  an  arm-clicdr  in  a  strange  coun- 
try, in  a  strange  family,  in  the  very  inidst  of  the  solem- 
nities of  family  worship.  In  truth,  said  I  within  my- 
self, it  is  a  very  bad  sign,  and  I  must  talk  with  my  fa- 
ther about  it  in  the  morning,  and  tell  him  I  cannot 
preach  to-morrow.  Upon  introducing  the  subject  to 
him,  he  gravely  smiled  at  what  had  occuiTed,  and  said 
he  feared  the  adversary  had  gotten  the  advantage  over 
me,  and  that  he  thought  I  was  troubled  over  much. 
*  Do  you  expect  to  be  more  watchful  and  circumspect,* 
said  he, '  and  heavenly-minded  than  the  immediate  fol- 
lowers of  our  Lord,  who  fell  asleep  on  a  much  more 
solemn  and  trying  occasion  %  And  do  you  not  remem- 
ber the  kind  manner  in  which  he  reproved  them — the 
spirit,  indeed,  is  ivilling,  Imt  the  flesh  is  2veak  1  I  am 
sure  here  is  ground  for  comfort  and  encouragement, 
and  you  should  not  lay  it  so  much  to  heart.  Trust  in 
God,  and  apply  yourself  to  the  work  before  you.'  My 
father  saw  proper  to  mention  the  subject  at  the  break- 
fast table,  where  it  excited  nothing  but  laughter  at  first, 
which  my  bad  looks  soon  turned  to  pity.  The  family 
treated  it  as  a  venial  matter,  and  said  the  same  thing 
might  befall  the  most  pious  man  living.  I  was  sui-prised 
myself  that  the  case  of  the  sleeping  disciples  had  not 
occurred  to  me  ;  so  that,  upon  the  whole  I  was  per- 
suaded to  preach  that  day,  though  it  was  a  long  time 


JLSSK    MEUCER.  37 

before  I  got  entirely  over  it.  But  I  have  always  found 
more  peace  of  mind  and  Christian  comfort  in  the  dis- 
charge of  my  ministerial  duties  than  in  the  omission  of 
the.n." 

A  few  years  subsequent  to  the  little  incident  above 
related,  probably  in  1795,  he  was,  on  a  certain  occa- 
sion, assaulted  by  a  most  distressing  and  awful  temp- 
tation, of  which  the  following  is  a  brief  account.  I  still 
quote  from  his  uncle's  naiTative,  in  which  the  circum- 
stance is  recorded,  as  nearly  as  can  be  recollected, 
in  Mr.  JMercer's  owii  words  : 

"  '  I  was,'  said  he,  '  on  a  preaching  tour,  and  havino- 
filled  one  of  my  appointments  on  a  certain  day,  was 
proceeding  on  my  way  towards  the  next,  when  I  heai'd 
the  muttering  of  distant  thunde  ,  and,  upon  looking  up, 
saw  the  outline  of  a  rising  cloud  in  the  west.     Borne 
onward  by  the  wind,  it  arose  with  unprecedented  haste, 
while  the   lightning  flashed,  and  the   thunder  roared 
louder  and  nearer.     I  w^as  convinced  that  I  was  about 
to  be  overtaken  by  a  storm  in  the  wild  woods,  for  there 
was  no  covert  at  hand.      The  sky  was  soon  overcast, 
and  the  air  darkened.     The  loud,  hoarse  hum  of  the  ap- 
proaching tempest  now  fell  upon  my  ear,  the  flashes  of 
lightning  were  swallowed    up   in  a  continual   glare  ; 
peal  on  peal  of  thunder  fell  around  me,  and  the  sturdy 
trees  of  the  forest  were  trembling  in  the  blast.     My 
horse,  startled  by  the  lightning,  the  thunder  and  the 
crash  of  falling  trees,  from  becoming  restive,  began  to 
plunge  from  side  to  side,  so  that  it  was  with  gi'eat  dif- 
ficulty I  could  hold  on.     In  the  midst  of  this  feaiful 
commotion  of  the  elements,  and  drenched  with  rain,  it 
was  suggested  to  me  to  curse  the  wind,  and  the  thun- 
der, and  the  lightning,  and  the  God  who  ruled  them. 
The  storm  gathered  strength,  and  so  did  the  tempta- 


38  MEMOIRS  OF 

tion.  I  feared  I  should  commit  the  awful  sin,  notmth- 
standing  all  the  powers  of  my  soul  were  aiTayed  against 
it.  I  clenched  my  teeth,  gi'asped  my  biidle  convul- 
sively, and  my  w^hole  system  was  in  a  "state  of  the  ut- 
most tension.  In  my  agony  I  cried,  continually,  Lord, 
help  me  f  Lord,  help  me  !  Preserve  thy  poor  servant 
that  trusteth  in  thee,  from  this  most  heinous — this  black- 
est sin  !  Such  was  the  anguish  of  my  soul  that  I  for- 
got the  storm.  The  temptation  may  have  lasted  some 
five  or  six  minutes,  when  all  on  a  sudden  it  left  me. 
My  ners-es  relaxed,  and  I  felt  as-  weak  as  a  child ;  but 
my  mouth  was  filled  with  praises  to  God  for  my  de- 
liverance. It  was,  however,  quickly  suggested  to  me, 
if  you  did  not  curse  God  aloud,  yet  you  thought  it.  I 
replied,  with  increased  joy,  if  I  did,  blessed  be  God, 
my  heart  was  not  in  it.  So  the  temptation  proved  a 
blessing  in  the  end,  for  by  it  ray  faith  was  strengthen- 
ed.' " 

In  the  month  of  August,  1796,  Mr.  Mercer  was 
called  to  mourn  the  death  of  his  honored  father.  The 
removal  of  such  a  -wise  counsellor  and  faithful  friend, 
to  a  person  possessing  a  heart  so  kind  and  tender,  and 
in  \vhich  resided  so  much  filial  love  and  devotion,  must 
have  been  a  most  painful  bereavement.  The  follow- 
'  ins:  winter,  vieldinor  to  the  call  of  dutv,  he  returned  to 
his  father's  residence,  (at  the  same  time,  probably,  re- 
signing the  pastoral  charge  of  his  church  in  Oglethorpe 
county,)  for  the  purpose  of  administering  upon  his  de- 
ceased parent's  estate,  and  otherwise  assisting  the  be- 
reaved family.  At  the  same  time,  Mr.  Armor  gave 
up  the  rectorship  of  the  Salem  Academy,  of  which  he 
immediately  took  the  superintendence,  being  assisted 
in  his  labors  by  his  brother  Daniel. 

The  churches,  which  had  been  so  faithfully  served 


JESSE    MERCER.  .  39 

by  his  father,  and  which  had  grown  uj)  to  respecta- 
bility under  his  care,  now  called  for  the  services  of  the 
son.  These  were  Phillips'  Mill,  Powelton,  and  What- 
ley's  Mill  (now  Bethesda)  :  he  accepted  of  these  sev- 
eral calls,  and  entered  at  once  upon  the  cultivation  of 
this  new  and  extended  field.  It  seems  that  the  mantle 
of  the  ascended  Elijah  rested  upon  the  young  Elisha. 
Those  who  knew  iiim  best  esteemed  and  loved  him 
most ;  he  was  a  prophet  truly  honored  in  his  own 
country,  and  amongst  his  own  kindred.  His  profiting 
had  appeared  to  all ;  his  ministerial  gifts  had  become 
much  improved ;  and  he  had  taken  a  high  stand  as  an 
able  expounder  of  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel. 

He  continued  at  his  father's  place  for  several  years, 
until  he  had  settled  the  business  of  the  estate ;  after 
which  he  removed  to  the  Fork  of  Little  River,  in 
Green  county,  some  five  or  six  miles  below  What- 
ley's  Mill.  Here  he  settled  again  on  a  small  farm, 
supporting  himself  and  family  as  before,  chiefly  by 
hired  help,  although  he  still  continued  to  labor  occa- 
sionally himself.  Nothing,  however,  was  allowed  to 
disturb  his  uniform  zeal  and  punctuality  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  ministerial  duties. 

About  this  time,  he  had  a  few  young  ministers  un- 
der his  instruction,  iunongst  whom  were  Thomas 
Rhodes  and  INIalachi  Reeves.  At  certain  appointed 
times,  these  young  brethren  would  meet  him  at  his 
own  house,  when  he  would  hear  their  recitations,  and 
give  the  necessary  directions  as  to  their  course  of  read- 
ing and  study.  These  services  were  rendered  gratu- 
itously. How  much  good  might  be  done  by  our  wise 
and  experienced  ministers,  were  they  more  frequently 
to  imitate  this  praiseworthy  example,  and  encourage 
their  younger  brethren,  especially  those  whose  pecu- 


40  MEMOIRS    OF 

liar  circumstances  deny  them  the  advantages  of  good 
theological  schools,  to  come  to  their  own  houses,  and 
receive  such  instructions  as  would  tend  to  advance 
their  piety  and  usefulness. 

From  what  has  already  been  stated,  it  would  seem, 
that  during  the  early  years  of  his  ministry,  Mr.  Mercer 
received  but  little  pecuniaiy  assistance  from  his 
churches.  Individual  members  would  occasionally 
assist  him  with  small  donations  oi  com,  pork,  and  other 
articles  of  provision,  "  but  as  to  a  compensation  in 
gold  and  silver,  such  a  thing,"  says  his  uncle,  "  was 
scarcely  thought  of." 

"After  about  1800,  he  received  more  on  funeral 
and  marriage  occasions,  than  from  any  other  quarter. 
He  had  acquired  great  fame  in  the  performance  of  the 
marriage  ceremony,  and  I  have  very  often  heard  young 
ladies  say,  when  we  marry  we  shall  send  for  Mr.  Mer- 
cer, for  we  do  not  think  we  should  be  frightened  ;  he 
goes  through  the  ceremony  so  quickly  and  genteelly. 
The  rich  and  fashionable  used  to  call  him  for  this  pur- 
pose, the  distance  of  fi'om  thirty  to  fifty  miles,  and 
would  frequently,  for  his  services,  present  him  with 
from  twenty  to  fifty  dollars.  In  like  manner,  he  would 
be  called  equal  distances  to  preach  funeral  sennons  ; 
and  when  any  thing  was  given,  which  was  not  uncom- 
mon, he  would  be  presented  with  similar  sums  of  mo- 
ney. In  his  tours  of  preaching,  beyond  the  bounds  of 
his  churches,  wealthy  brethren,  knowing  his  poverty, 
would  sometimes  give  him  a  few  dollars,  especially 
when  he  visited  their  families  ;  and  pious  ladies  would 
give  him  some  articles  of  clothing  of  their  own  manu- 
facture, besides  many  little  presents  that  were  made 
through  him  to  his  wife.  By  an  economical  use  of  all 
these  little  means,  he  contrived,  not  only  to  live  in 


JKSSE    MERCKR.  41 

comfort,  but  to  increase  constantly,  though  slowly,  his 
property.  He  was  prudent,  industrious,  and  econom- 
ical, and  cautiously  regulated  his  expenditures  by  his 
income  ;  so  that  he  always  met,  with  the  utmost  punc- 
tuality, his  pecuniary  engagements," 


CHAPTER  HI. 

Mr.  Mercer's  ministerial  labors. — SarJis  Church. — Phillips'  Mill. — 
Bethesda. — I'owelton. — Gov.  Rabun. — Extracts  from  Mr.  Mer- 
cei's  funeral  sermon  on  the  occasion  of  Gov,  R.'d  death. — Eaton- 
ton  Church  — Thomas  Cooper. 

The  last  chapter  brought  U2:)'the  history  of  Mr.  Mer- 
cer to  the  time  when  he  became  well  established  in  his 
ministerial  character,  and  had  entered,  in  a  formal 
manner,  upon  an  interesting  and  extensive  field  of 
labor.  In  this  chapter,  and  the  one  or  tw^o  chapters 
which  immediately  follow,  it  is  proposed  to  take  a  brief 
and  cursory  view  of  his  ministerial  labors  during  the 
most  active  portion  of  his  life.  This  view  will  confine 
us  mainly  to  the  period  extending  from  1796,  to  1827. 
There  will  be  found  some  occasional  reference  to 
events  already  noticed  in  the  preceding  chapter,  and 
to  some  of  a  later  date  than  1827,  as  well  as  some 
statements  and  reflections  of  a  general  character, 
which  will  apply  to  most  of  his  ministerial  course  from 
first  to  last.  The  other  various  departments  of  useful 
and  pious  labor  in  which  he  was  employed,  and  in 
which,  as  well  as  in  the  more  immediate  discharge  of 
his  duties  as  a  minister,  he  gained  for  himself  a  pre- 


42  Memoirs  of 

cious  and  venerated  name,  will  be  noticed  by  tlieffi^ 
Belves  in  their  appropriate  places. 

The  sketch  now  proposed  must  necessarily  be  very 
imperfect,  and,  in  all  probability,  will  fall  far  short  of 
the  expectations  of  surv^iving  acquaintances,  as  well 
as  of  those  who  had  only  heard  of  him  by  the  hearing 
of  the  ear.  The  wi'iter  had  no  personal  acquaintance 
with  Mr.  Mercer  till  towards  the  close  of  the  period 
above  referred  to,  and  then  the  acquaintance  was 
fonned  at  some  distance  from  the  field  of  his  active 
labors.  INIr.  INIercer  kept  no  regular  jaurnal  of  his  la- 
bors, nor  of  the  various  religious  exercises  through 
which  he  passed  in  the  prosecution  of  his  ministerial 
duties.  But  little,  refen-ing  to  this  period,  can  be 
gathered  from  his  con'espondence  ;  the  traces  of  many 
incidents  are  entombed  with  the  venerable  cotempo- 
raries,  who  entered  into  their  rest  before  him ;  and 
many  things,  which  mighty  interest,  have  glided  from 
the  memory  of  those  who  still  survive.  In  addition  to 
all  this,  it  must  be  remembered,  that  the  course  of  most 
ministei's,  even  of  such  as  are  greatly  distinguished,  is 
generally  monotonous  and  unimposing,  being  marked 
with  but  few  incidents  to  excite  admiration  and 
wonder. 

The  field  occupied  by  Mr.  Mercer  was  one  of  the 
most  inrportant  in  the  state ;  and  there  was  a  mutual 
adaptedness  of  minister  and  people,  which  very  natu- 
rally suggests  to  our  minds  the  wisdom  of  that  provi- 
dence, which  assigned  him  the  bounds  of  his  habita^ 
tion.  How  greatly  the  influence  and  usefulness  of  a 
minister  depend  upon  such  a  coincidence,  must  be 
obvious  to  all.  The  churches  which  he  served,  were 
in  the  midst  of  a  dense  population,  embracing  a  large 
proportion  of  individuals  in  comfortable  cii'cumstances, 


JESSE    MERCER.  43 

of  solid,  practical  sense,  with  a  respectable  number 
beside  of  considerable  intelligence  and  refinement. 
In  the  main,  they  were  a  people  that  could  well  appre- 
ciate the  plain,  rich,  sound  instructions  of  their  gifted 
minister ;  whilst  at  the  same  time  they  felt  the  most 
entire  complacency  in  his  unadorned  and  simple  man- 
ners. 

Our  sketch  will  commence  with  some  account  of 
Mr.  Mercer's  sei'vices  in  immediate  connexion  with 
the  several  churches  which  he  supplied  during  the  pe- 
riod just  specified. 

SARDIS  CHURCH. 

This  church,  (first  called  Hutton's  Fork,)  was  gather- 
ed by  the  labors  of  Silas  Mercer,  in  17S8.  It  is  situated 
in  Wilkes  county,  about  twelve  miles  northwest  from 
Washington.  As  the  reader  has  already  noticed,  this 
was  the  first  church  which  Jesse  Mercer  was  called 
to  preside  over,  as  pastor.  It  prospered  under  his  min- 
istry, and  was  favored  with  some  seasons  of  special  re- 
freshing from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  At  the  Asso- 
ciation of  1802,  thirty-three  were  reported  as  having 
been  added  by  baptism,  during  the  preceding  year. 
In  the  years  1808  and  1809,  there  was  a  precious  re- 
vival, and  something  like  one  hundred  were  baptized 
as  the  fruit  of  God's  merciful  visitation  at  that  time. 
The  whole  number  received  into  the  membership  of 
the  church,  during  Mr.  IMercer's  connexion  with  it, 
the  author  has  not  the  means  of  ascertaining,  though  it 
must  have  been  quite  respectable.  In  1817,  he  gave 
up  the  charge  of  this  interesting  church,  much  to  the 
regret  of  the  members  that  composed  it.  They  were 
greatly  attached  to  their  pastor,  and  accepted  of  his 
resignation  with  extreme  reluctance. 


44  memoirs  of 

Phillips'  mill. 

This  is  one  of  the  oldest  churches  in  the  State,  and 
owes  its  birth  to  the  instrumentahty  of  the  elder  Mer- 
cer. It  was  constituted  in  1785.  Its  location  is  in 
Wilkes  county,  some  nine  miles  in  a  southwest  direc- 
tion from  Washington,  on  the  road  leading  fi'om  that 
place  to  Crawfordville.  As  the  pious  and  intelligent 
Baptist  passes  by  the  antique  meeting-house,  now  occu- 
pied by  this  venerable  mother-church,  the  most  thril- 
ling reflections  are  awakened  in  his  bosom.  Not  far 
distant  from  this  very  place,  resided  for  many  years, 
and  finally  died,  the  holy,  zealous  and  indefatigable 
Silas  Mercer ;  here  his  distinguished  son  was  baptized, 
and  ushered  into  the  gospel  ministry;  and  here,  for 
more  than  fifty  years,  was  his  voice  often  heard,  warn- 
ing the  ungodly,  pointing  the  weary  and  heavy-laden 
to  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  and  reproving,  instructing 
and  comforting  tha children  of  God.  Shortly  after  the 
death  of  his  father,  Mr.  Mercer,  as  has  already  been 
recorded,  was  called  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  this 
church.  The  date  of  this  transaction  was  September 
10th,  1796.  On  the  same  day,  he  and  his  wife  united 
affaiti  with  the  church,  havino:  been  dismissed  in  March, 
1795.  He  served  the  church  regularly,  as  pastor, 
thirty-nine  yeai's,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  short  pe- 
riods w^hen  he  obtained  permission  to  be  absent,  for 
the  purj3ose  of  travelling.  In  the  latter  part  of  1798, 
he  visited  the  north,  and  Rev,  B.  Mosely  supplied  his 
pulpit  during  his  absence.  During  his  absence,  in  1817, 
to  attend  the  Triennial  Convention  at  Philadelphia, 
his  joulpit  was  supplied  by  a  Rev.  Mr.  Robinson ;  and 
when  absent  for  a  similar  pui-pose,  in  1S26,  the  Rev. 
B.  M.  Sanders  ofliciated  in  his  place.     In  1S02,  this 


JESSE    MEUCER,  45 

church,  ill  common  with  all  the  other  churches  which 
Mr.  Mercer  supplied,  was  favored  with  a  pleasant  re- 
vival. Thirty-eight  were  reported  to  the  Association 
that  year  as  added  by  baptism.  In  successive  years, 
the  numbers  7, 1:2,  14, 19  and  25  are  occasionally  found 
reported,  though  not  unfrequently  much  smaller  num- 
bers. During  Mr.  INIerccr's  pastoral  connexion  with 
the  church,  something  like  230  were  added  by  bap- 
tism. 

In  the  earlier  part  of  INIr.  Mercer's  labors  at  Phil- 
lips' Mill,  as  well  as  at  the  other  places  which  he  sup- 
plied, his  congregations  were  generally  large  ;  in  later 
years,  the  population  of  the  country  around  having 
been  much  diminished  by  death  and  emigration,  and 
other  churches,  also,  having  spi-ung  up  in  contiguous 
regions,  the  attendance  upon  his  ministry,  except  on 
special  occasions,  was  less  crowded.  In  1835,  Mr. 
Mercer  resis^ned  the  charo^e  of  this  church,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Stokes. 

jsw£nY.SD A,  formerly  whatley's  mill. 

This  church  is  in  Green  county,  about  twelve  miles 
east  of  Greensboro.  In  its  origin,  it  was  another  mo- 
nument of  the  untiling  zeal  and  successful  labor  of  Si- 
las Mercer.  There  are  some  still  living  who  remem- 
ber the  time  when  his  voice  was  lifted  up  in  the  forest, 
to  instruct  the  gathering  multitudes  in  the  way  of  life, 
before  the  church  was  fonned,  or  a  house  of  worship 
erected.  The  church  was  constituted  in  1785,  and  en- 
joyed the  labors  of  Silas  Mercer  as  its  first  pastor. 
Abraham  Marshall  and  James  Heflin  were  also  pas- 
tors. Jesse  Mercer  commenced  his  pastoral  labors  in 
this  church  in  1796,  and  continued  them  until  1827. 
From  the   year  1807,  till   1817  his  membership  was 


46  MEMOIRS  OP 

also  here.  The  population  around,  in  former  yearSj 
was  dense,  and  an  unusually  large  congregation  at- 
tended on  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Mercer.  In  1818,  a 
brick  meeting-house,  sixty  feet  by  forty,  and  two  stories 
high,  was  erected,  to  which  the  pastor  himself  was  a 
liberal  subscriber.  At  this  time,  the  name  was  chang- 
ed from  Whatley's  Mill  to  Bethesda. 

This  has  been  an  active,  useful  and  prosperous 
church.  It  has  been  the  mother  of  several  valuable 
ministers,  has  aided  much  in  the  cause  of  benevolence, 
and  enjoyed  some  delightful  revivals  of  religipn.  In 
the  memorable  year  of  1802,  forty-nine  were  added 
by  baptism.  Other  respectable  accessions  are  noted 
on  its  records. 

The  uncle  of  Mr.  Mercer  gives  the  following  inte- 
resting account  of  the  commencement  of  a  revival  in 
this  church  :  **  At  a  certain  time,  he  had  been  on  a 
preaching  tour  for  a  fortnight,  and  had  sjient  most  of 
the  time  in  a  revival,  and  upon  his  return,  attended 
his  church  at  Whatley's  Mill,  at  their  regular  meeting. 
He  was  aware  that  the  church  was  in  a  very  languid 
state,  and  his  sermon  was  on  the  deceitfulness  of  the 
heart,  in  crying  fcacc,  j)cace^  when  tlicre  is  no  fcace^ 
At  the  close  of  his  discourse  he  became  deeply  affect- 
ed, and  addressed  the  congregation  about  as  follows  : 
'Dear  brethren  and  friends,  I  have  been,  for  a  great 
part  of  the  last  two  weeks,  addressing  a  people  that  I 
believe  are  truly  awakened  to  a  sense  of  their  lost, 
helpless,  and  ruined  state,  and  are  crying  out  in  their 
agony,  icliat  shall  ice  do  to  he  saved  ?  Amongst  them 
my  tongue  seemed  to  be  loosed,  and  I  could  point 
them  with  great  freedom  to  the  way  of  salvation 
through  a  cracified  Saviour.  On  my  way  hither,  I 
have  felt  the  deepest  concern  in  contrasting  your  life- 


JESSE    MERCER.  41f 

less  situation  with  theirs,  until  I  even  bedewed  the 
pommel  of  my  saddle  with  tears ;'  and  here  lifting  up 
his  hands,  he  exclaimed,  *  O,  my  congi'egation,  I  fear 
you  are  too  good  to  be  saved  !'  and  again  burst  into 
an  irrepressible  flood  of  tears.  Descending  from  the 
pulpit,  and  recovering  himself  a  little,  he  poured  forth 
a  most  solemn  and  empassioned  exhortation,  during 
which  many  came  forward  and  asked  that  prayer  might 
be  made  in  their  behalf ;  and  thus  commenced  one  of 
the  most  interesting  revivals  which  has  ever  blessed 
that  favored  church." 

Much  of  the  fruit  of  Mr.  Mercer's  valuable  labors  at 
Bethesda  appeared  after  he  had  resigned  his  pastoral 
charge.  In  1828  the  church  w^as  pcmiitted  to  enjoy 
one  of  the  most  powerful  revivals  of  religion  that  has 
ever  been  witnessed  in  the  State  of  Georoia.  From 
March  to  October,  not  less  than  270  were  added  to 
the  church  by  baptism.  Fifty  and  sixty  were  some- 
times added  in  a  day.  Amongst  this  number  were 
Bome  who  had  been  converted  many  years  before,  un- 
der the  preaching  of  Mr.  Mercer;  and  there  were 
others,  whose  conversions  were  recent,  that  still  refer- 
red to  his  faithful  instructions  as  the  means  of  their 
first  awakeninof.  The  seed  which  he  had  lonof  been 
sowing  in  tears  ripened  at  length  into  a  joyful  harvest. 

Before  dismissing  this  item  of  his  narrative,  the 
writer  thinks  it  proper  to  state,  that,  in  1820,  a  meet- 
inor  of  the  Mission  Board  of  the  Georo^ia  Association 
was  held  at  Bethesda,  at  which  time  the  several  minis- 
ters present  united  in  the  ordination  of  Rev.  Adiel 
Sherwood,  a  brother  whose  name  has  long  been  iden- 
tified with  the  hictory  and  successful  progress  of  the 
Baptists  of  Georgia. 


48  MEMOIR;*    OP 

POWELTON. 

This  church,  (at  first  known  by  the  name  of  PoW" 
el's  Creek,)  is  another  monument  to  the  pious  labors 
of  the  father  Silas,  who  planted,  of  the  son  Jesse, 
who  watered,  and  to  the  grace  of  God  which  gave  the 
happy  increase.  It  is  located  at  the  little  village  of 
Powelton,  Hancock  county,  about  fourteen  miles 
northeast  from  Sparta,  the  county  town,  near  Pow- 
el's  creek  and  the  Ogechee  river.  It  was  constituted 
on  the  1st  of  July,  1786,  with  twenty-six  members, 
by  Silas  Mercer,  John  Harvey,  and  John  Thomas. 
On  the  4th  of  February,  1797,  Mr.  Jesse  Mercer  as- 
sumed the  pastoral  charge  of  this  interesting  church, 
and  remained  its  minister  till  the  latter  part  of  1825. 
It  appears  from  the  records  of  the  church,  that  he  was 
received  into  its  fellowship  by  a  letter  from  Whatley's 
Mill,  (Bethesda,)  Feb.  28th,  1818,  about  which  time, 
or  perhaps  a  little  before,  he  removed  with  his  family 
from  G-reen  county  to  Powelton,  where  he  resided  for 
the  next  nine  or  ten  years.  Under  the  wise  and  faith- 
ful training  of  their  much  beloved  and  venerated  pas- 
tor, the  Powelton  church  became  one  of  the  most  ac- 
tive, efficient,  and  benevolent  bodies  in  the  state.  It 
was  for  a  long  time  one  of  the  important  rallying 
points  of  the  denomination.  The  benevolent  and  hos- 
pitable spirit  of  its  members  drew  to  the  place  many 
of  those  sacred  convocations  of  ministers  and  lay 
brethren,  which  were  appointed  from  time  to  time,  to 
deliberate  upon  the  interests  of  Zion.  The  Georgia 
Association  held  several  of  its  annual  sessions  with 
this  church.  Here  was  organized  in  1803,  "  The  Ge- 
neral   Conwiittee  of   the    Georgia   Baptists  ;^^    here 


Jli:SS£    MERCER.  4$ 

was  foniied,   in  1822,  the   Baptist   State    Cofive/Uion, 
and  its  sessions  for  1823,  and  1832,  were  held  with 
this  church.     An  efficient  missionary  society  was  also 
organized   at   Powellon,  as  early  as  the  5th  of  May, 
1815.     In  181'i  or  1815,  by  the  eflforts  of  this  intelli- 
gent and  enlightened  church  mainli/,  an  academy  was 
established,   which   has   ever  since    been  maintained 
upon  a  respectable  footing,  and  has  been  greatly  ser- 
viceable to   the  denomination,  and  to  the  country  ge- 
nerally.    Though   the  academy  has  been  suri'ounded 
by   a  Baptist  community,   and  has  been  principally 
sustained   from  its  commencement  by   Baptists   and 
their  adherents,  yet  the  trustees  have  ever  been  guided 
by  the  most  liberal  policy,  and  without  respect  to  de- 
nominational  considerations,   have  endeavored  to  se- 
cure the  most  competent  teachers.     It  has  so  hap- 
pened, that  most  of  the  instinicters  have  been  paedo- 
baptists.     The  liberality  of  the  patrons,  however,  in 
cheerfully  sustaining  them,  has  not  been  altogether 
unrewarded,  for  some  of  these  individuals  have 
come  useful   and  prominent  members  of  the  Baptist 
denomination.     The  Rev.  Otis  Smith,  long  known  as 
one  of  the  most  successful  teachers  in  the  state,  and 
for  some  years  president  of  the  Mercer  University,  is 
one  of  the    individuals   to    whom   reference    is  here 
made. 

The  accessions  to  the  Powelton  church  under  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  INIercer,  were  not  remarkably  large. 
In  1802,  twenty -nine  were  reported  to  the  Association 
as  added  by  baptism.  Occasionally,  a  considerable 
length  of  time  would  ti'anspire  without  any  increase ; 
at  other  times,  several  would  be  received  at  each  suc- 
cessive monthly  meeting.  About  two  hundred  were 
baptized  during   Mr.   Mercer's  connexion    with   this 


50  MEMOIRS    OP 

church.  If  the  accessions  were  not  large,  they  never- 
theless embraced  a  highly  respectable  number  of  in- 
dividuals, distinguished  for  their  intelligence,  piety 
and  usefulness. 

Gov.  Rabun  was,  for  many  years,  a  distinguished 
member  and  ornament  of  the  Powelton  church. 

In  the  following  extract  from  a  communication  from 
President  Sherwood,  there  is  honorable  mention  made 
of  this  good  man,  as  well  as  some  reference  to  Mr. 
Mercer,  which  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  the  reader. 
"  In  June,  (1819,)  I  attended  his  (Mr.  Mercer's,)  Pow- 
elton meeting,  and  by  previous  invitation  spent  two 
or  three  days  at  his  house.  Governor  Rabun  was 
then  clerk  and  chorister  of  the  church.  I  was  struck 
with  the  simplicity  of  his  character.  Some  men,  if 
they  had  been  elevated  by  office  as  was  he,  would 
have  supposed  themselves  too  high  to  record  the  do- 
ino-s  or  lead  the  devotions  of  a  country  church ;  but 
here  was  exhibited  the  spectacle  of  the  highest  officer 
in  the  state  mingling  with  his  brethren  as  one  of  them, 
far  removed  from  that  hauteur  which  little  folks  some- 
times assume,  as  if  he  were  Xhe  most  insignificant  of 
their  number.  In  the  fall  of  this  year,  Mr.  Mercer 
was  sick  of  a  bilious  attack,  and  seemed  to  have  es- 
caped very  naiTowly  from  the  grave.  I  can  never 
foro-et  the  grief  portrayed  in  Judge  CohVs  counte- 
nance when  it  was  announced  that  he  was  actually 
dead ;  but  it  was  a  mere  iTimor.  At  the  meeting  of 
the  Georgia  Association  that  fall,  he  was  pale  and 
feeble  ;  Governor  Rabun  was  the  picture  of  health ; 
but  before  the  month  had  expired,  he  had  bowed  to 
the  summons  of  death.  So  uncertain  are  all  appear- 
ances on  whic'i  to  place  our  hopes."  Shortly  after 
the   death  of  this  excellent  man,  Mr.  Mercer,  at  the 


JESSE    MERCER.  51 

request  of  the  legislature,  preached  a  funeral  dis- 
course on  the  melancholy  occasion,  which  was  after- 
wards published,  and  passed  through  two  editions. 

A  few  extracts  from  this  discourse  may  be  gratify- 
ing to  the  reader. 

"Called  as  I  am,  by  the  General  Assembly  of  a 
State  in  mourning  for  the  sudden  and  unexpected 
death  of  her  beloved  Chief  Magistrate,  to  express  the 
high  consideration  in  which  he  was  so  justly  held,  and 
to  afford  a  tribute  of  respect  due  his  departed  worth,  I 
tremble  as  I  advance  ;  and  feeling  as  I  do,  a  particu- 
lar and  melancholy  interest  in  this  afflictive  dispensa- 
tion while  I  make  the  effort,  the  tenderest  sensibilities 
of  my  heart  mouni,  and  an  unutterable  grief  thrills 
through  my  soul. 

**  Your  late  excellent  Governor  was  the  pleasant  and 
lovely  companion  of  my  youth  ;  my  constant  fiiend  and 
endeared  Christian  brother  in  advancing  years,  and, 
till  death,  my  unremitted  fellow-laborer  and  able  sup- 
port in  all  the  efforts  of  benevolence  and  philanthropy 
in  which  I  had  the  honor  and  happiness  to  be  engaged, 
calculated  either  to  amend  or  meliorate  the  condition 
of  man." 

After  this  short  introduction,  the  author  proceeds  to 
quote  the  passage  of  Scripture  upon  which  he  founds 
his  discourse  :  this  is  2  Sam.  iii.  38 — "  Knoic  ijc  not 
that  there  is  a  2>rince  and  a  great  man  fallen  in  Israel .?" 
From  this  text  he  takes  occasion  to  consider  the  im- 
portance and  character  o?  ^  great  man  in  a  nation,  and 
the  light  in  which  \i\%fall  is  to  be  regarded. 

'*  A  man  is  gi'eat,"  says  Mr.  Mercer,  "  according  to 
his  strength  of  thought,  the  infoiTnation  he  possesses, 
and  the  manner  in  which  he  employs  his  time  and  ta- 
lents for  t^i*"  ^lublic  good   and  the  divine  glorj'.     He 


52  MEMOIRS    OF 

should  be  estimated  from  his  mind  rather  than  his  at- 
tainments ;  or,  as  Dr.  Watts  beautifully  expresses  it — 

*  '  Were  I  so  tall  to  reach  the  pole, 

Or  grasp  the  ocean  with  my  span, 
I  should  be  measured  by  my  soul — 

The  soul's  the  standard  of  the  man.' 


*'  Next  to  a  noble  mind,  wisdom  constitutes  and  is 
the  great  man's  ornament.  It  consists  not  in  any  de- 
gree of  knowledge,  but  in  the  right  use  of  what  is  pos- 
sessed, and  differs  from  it  as  pleasures  differ  from  the 
means  which  afford  them.  It  is  to  folly  what  know- 
ledgre  is  to  ig-norance.  It  oriorinates  in  the  fear  of 
God,  flourishes  in  patriotic  philanthropy  and  teraii- 
nates  in  glory  and  renown.  A  wise  man  is  attentive 
to  the  experience  and  examples  of  individuals  and  na- 
tions, *  *  *  and  increases  in  wisdom.  In  his  intercourse 
with  men  he  is  directed  by  the  good  old  golden  rule, 
and  in  politics  it  is  his  joy  to  associate  individual  hap- 
piness with  the  public  good.  He  is  generous  in  feeling, 
open  in  candor  and  firm  in  complaisance  ;  in  plea- 
sures piTident,  in  trials  patient,  and  sterling  in  worth. 
He  thinks  modestly,  speaks  cautiously,  and  acts  hum- 
bly. His  whole  deportment  is  regulated  by  the  fear 
of  God,  and  directed  by  the  public  good  and  the  divine 
honor ;  and  such  teas  Governor  Rabun. 

"  But  to  crown  the  character  of  the  gi*eat  man,  piety 
is  indispensable.  This  is  that  gracious  temper  of 
heart  which  fulfils  the  whole  law ;  it  originates  in 
renovation,  and  is  perfected  in  love  to  God  and  man. 
'Tis  that  temper  of  heart  towards  God,  without  which 
all  religion  is  vain,  devotion  is  solemn  mockery,  and 


JESSE    MERCER.  OJ 

rlohteousness  becomes  sin.  'Tis  tins  that  consecrates 
both  the  porsons  and  works  of  great  men  to  wise 
and  holy  pui'poses,  and  constitutes  them  the  seed 
of  the  land,  so  that  for  their  sakes  a  nation  may  be 
preserved.  But  in  those  who  are  great  in  impiety, 
there  is  no  pledge  for  the  public  safety.  God  indeed 
may  use  them  as  he  did  Pharaoh,  Nebuchadnezzar, 
and  Cyrus,  as  instruments  for  the  accomj^lishment  of 
Jiis  designs,  by  overruling  theirs  ;  but  it  shall  be  with 
them  as  it  was  with  the  king  of  Assyria,  who,  when 
he  had  done  the  work  assigned  him  as  an  instrument 
in  the  hand  of  the  Almighty,  was  punished  for  the 
haughtiness  of  his  hifjh  looks.  But  'tis  on  account  of 
the  persons  and  the  prayers  of  pious  men,  that  God 
is  graciously  pleased  to  stay  his  ^vrath,  and  hush  the 
threatened  storm  of  vengeance  to  rest.  Of  what  vital 
worth  then  are  men  of  piety  to  a  sinful  natioti  %  pious 
men,  who,  like  the  friend  of  God,  suing  for  guilty 
Sodom,  constantly  bend  the  knee  of  devotion  before 
the  throne  of  God,  and  give  him  no  rest  till  he  estab- 
lish and  settle  the  state  in  peace  : — especially  men  of 
early  piety,  whose  hearts  have  been  long  right  with 
God,  and  whose  morals  are  all  fixed  by  the  most 
firm  and  rigid  habit.  These  are  the  strong  pillars  of 
the  state,  the  pledges  of  the  public  safety,  and  the 
blessed  of  God.     And  such  was  Governor  Rabun. 

"  It  was  his  felicity  to  have  many  friends,  few  ene- 
mies, rare  equals,  and  no  superiors.  He  is  gone,  and 
has  left  an  awful  chasm  behind  him. — A  widow  bereft 
of  a  tender  and  kind  husband  ;  children  of  an  affection- 
ate and  loving  father  ;  servants  of  a  humane  and  in- 
dulgent master  ;  neighbors  of  a  constant  friend  and 
pleasant  companion  ;  the  Baptist  church  of  her  bright 


54  MEMOIRS    OF 

ornament,  member  and  scribe ;  two  mission  societies 
of  their  secretary ;  the  Georgia  Association  of  her 
clerk,  and  the  state  of  a  firm  politician  and  her  hon- 
ored chief.  O,  what  an  eventful  death  was  Governor 
Rabun's  !      The  beauty  of  Geoi-gia  is  fallen  ! 

"  He  is  gone,  but  in  glorious  hope  : — a  hope  which 
he  obtained  in  Christ '  as  the  end  of  the  law  for  righte- 
ousness to  every  one  that  believeth,'  after  a  severe 
conflict  of  soul  under  that  conviction  which  the  divine 
Spirit  affords  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  judgment ; 
and  which  sustained  him  from  seventeen  years  of 
ao-e  till  death,  as  *  an  anchor  to  the  soul,  sure  and 
steadfast.' 

^P  "7^  ^  tF  ^t  ^P  ^F  tF 

"  In  death  [he  was]  resigned  in  the  arms  of  Jesus, 
and  cried,  'now  lettest  thou  thy  serv'ant  depart  in 
peace,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation.'  Yes, 
fellow  citizens  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  other 
auditors,  there  is  a  power  in  the  gospel  of  Christ  that 
'makes  a  dying  bed  feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are;' 
and  the  consistent,  dying  Christian,  leaning  his  head 
on  the  breast  of  redemption,  'breathes  his  life  out 
sweetly  there.'  And  thus  died  Goveror  Rabun.  His 
remains  are  deposited  in  the  gloomy  mansions  of  the 
dead,  where  clustering  sorrows  gi^ow  with  luxuriance, 
and  the  silence  of  death  flourishes  in  venial  bloom, 
but  his  departed  spirit  is  gone  to  that  unknov^Ti  re- 
gion where  '  the  clock  strikes  one,  and  the  pendulum 
vibrates  ever  always,  ever  always,  ever  always,  and 
the  clock  strikes  no  more.'  "* 

*  The  following  condensed  sketch  of  the  life  of  Gov.  Rabun  is  from 
Mr.  Sherwood's  Gazetteer  of  the  Stale  of  Georgia;  "  Hon.  Win.  Ra- 
bun was  born  in  Halifax  County,  North  Carolina,  April,  1771.     His 


JESSE    MERCER. 


EATONTON. 


In  ISIS,  a  commodious  house  of  worship  was 
erected  in  Eatonton,  Putnam  county,  by  the  commu- 
nity at  large,  for  the  accommodation  of  several  reli- 
gious denominations,  and  the  Baptists  amongst  the 
rest.  On  November  17th  of  the  same  year,  a  Baptist 
church  was  constituted  with  ten  members,  Elijah 
Moseley  and  Frederick  Crowder,  acting  as  the  Pres- 
bytery on  the  occasion.  From  this  beginning,  respec- 
table for  its  worth,  though  small  in  numbers,  has  risen 
up  a  most  liberal,  pious,  efficient  and  well  disciplined 
church.  Much  of  its  early  prosperity  is  no  doubt  to 
be  attributed  to  the  valuable  labors  of  Mr.  Mercer. 
Yieldino-  to  the  urgent  solicitations  of  the  little  band, 
he  took  charge  of  the  church  on  the  2-5th  of  January, 
1820,  and  continued  as  its  pastor  till  the  close  of  1826. 
Much  of  the  last  year,  however,  he  was  absent  from 
the  church.  During  his  connexion  with  it,  about 
sixty  were  added  by  baptism,  and  forty  by  letter. 
In  the  years  1827  and  '8,  under  the  ministry  of 
Brother  Sherwood,  his  esteemed  successor  in  the  pas- 
toral office,  the  church  was  blessed  with  large  and 
valuable  accessions ;  to  what  extent  the  previous  la- 

fathcr  removed  to  Gnorsia  whih^he  was  a  young  mnn.  He  was  an 
hble  represcnt;ilive  from  Hancock  a  iiumher  of  year?,  and  long  Pre- 
sident of  llio  Senate  and  Governor  ex-oQicio,  and  also  Governor  from 
1817  to  1810.  Mr.  Rabun  was  truly  a  religious  man.  He  unitrd 
with  the  Baptist  church  now  worshipping  at  Powelton,  in  1787  or  '8. 
His  house  was  the  house  of  prayer.  To  all  the  benevolent  institu- 
tions of  the  day  he  lent  his  influence  and  his  purse.  It  was  a  pirat- 
ing sight  to  witness  the  Governor  of  the  state  taking  the  load  in 
singing  at  a  country  church.  Office  did  not  hloat  him  as  it  docs 
some.  He  died  while  Governor,  at  his  plantation,  near  Poweltou, 
October,  1819." 


56  MEMOIRS    OP 

bors  of  Mr.  Mercer,  may,  under  God,  have  contri- 
buted to  this  glorious  result,  the  waiter  is  not  prepared 
to  say,  yet  it  can  hardly  be  doubted  that  more  or  less 
of  the  fruit  of  his  tears  and  prayers,  and  faithful  in- 
structions, ^vas  mingled  ^vith  that  copious  harvest. 
The  revival  which  commenced  in  Eatonton  in  1827, 
was  not  long  confined  to  the  place ;  it  seemed  to  be 
the  beginning  of  a  blessed  and  wide-spread  religious 
excitement,  which  resulted  in  the  addition  of  some 
twelve  or  fourteen  thousand  to  the  Baptist  churches 
of  Georoia. 

It  might  not  be  improper  to  state,  that  in  1824  and 
'25,  the  Baptist  State  Convention  (then  denominated 
the  General  Association,)  held  its  sessions  at  Eaton- 
ton.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  Mr.  Mercer  preached 
a  missionary  sermon,  which  was  followed  by  a  collec- 
tion from  the  congregation  of  8220. 

The  session  o  the  first  named  year  was  one  of  pe- 
culiar interest.  The  memory  of  many  Christian  friends 
still  living,  clings  to  that  occasion  with  strong  and 
tender  fondness,  as  one  of  the  brightest  spots  in  the 
range  of  their  spiritual  history.  The  presence  and 
labors  of  the  Rev.  Basil  Manly,  then  young  in  the 
ministry,  who  had  spent  some  portion  of  1819  with 
the  church  as  a  licentiate,  added  much  to  the  interest 
of  the  occasion.  He  preached  the  word  with  unusual 
unction  and  power.  Weeping  congregations  hung 
upon  his  lips  for  three  successive  days.  During  his 
discourse  on  the  Sabbath,  a  larsfe  conoreg^ation  were 
continually  bathed  in  tears.  In  a  letter  to  the  waiter, 
in  which  brother  Manly  refers  with  much  emotion  to 
some  of  the  incidents  of  that  memorable  day,  he 
says  :  "  I  dare  say  you  will  find  many  in  Georgia  who 
recollect  the  facts.    ,   mono-  others,  one  of  the  brother 


JESSE    MERCER.  57 

Milners  was  present,  whom  I  remember  especially 
for  this,  that  when  we  came  down  out  of  the  pulpit  to 
meet  the  inishing  crowd  for  prayer,  this  brother  Milner 
fell  on  his  knees,  and  began  a  prayer  more  remarka- 
bly tender  and  melting  than  any  I   ever  heard  ;    in 
which  he  thanked  God  that  he  himself  Jiadhad  a  jnous 
mother.     His  prayer  was  a  sort  of  soliloquy,  a  tissue 
of  penitence  and  faith  aiid  rapture,  of  supplication 
and  joy  and  triumph  : — and  the  place  was  glorious." 
Whilst  connected  with  the  Eatonton  church,  Mr. 
Mercer  was  favored  with  the  co-operation   of  some 
brethren  of  much  efficiency  and  rare  Christian  worth. 
Amongst  these,  stood  forth  in  sticking  prominence, 
the  late  pious  and  excellent  Thomas  Coo]3er.     He 
was  baptized  by  Mr.   Mercer  in  Powelton,   in  1811, 
removed  to  Eatonton  and  connected  himself  with  the 
Baptist  church  in  that  place   in   1S22,  and    in   1824 
was  ordained  one  of  its  deacons.     Brother  Cooper 
was  scarcely  less  distinguished  as  a  lay  member,  than 
Mr.  iNIercer  was  as  a  minister.    In  him  were  joined  to 
a  native   intellect   remarkably   clear,    discriminating 
and  vigorous,  the  most  excellent  qualities  of  heart ; 
and  all  was   sanctified  by  fervent  and   exalted  piety. 
Three  times  a  day  would  he  retire  to  commune  with 
God.     For  the  last  twelve  or  fifteen  years  of  his  life, 
this  wise  and  venerable  man  was  an  humble  pupil  in  a 
bible  class.     His  faithfulness,  in  encouraging,  counsel- 
ling, and  if  necessary,  reproving  his  brethren,  was  wor- 
thy of  all  praise ;  and  as  a  judicious,  watchful,  conscien- 
tious, punctual,  pains-taking  deacon,  a  brighter  model 
has  never  appeared  in  our  churches.     His  pecuniary 
bounties  were  scattered  over  a  broad  field  with  a  libe- 
ral hand.     For  many  years  before  he  died,  his  entire 
income  beyond    his  necessary  expenses  was    conse- 

4 


58  MEMOIRS    OP 

crated  to  pious  purposes ;  and  towards  the  close  of 
life,  his  benefactions  would  sometimes  encroach  upon 
his  capital.  For  a  long  time,  to  the  writer's  know- 
ledge, he  contributed  annually  one  hundred  dollars  to 
each  of  some  half  a  dozen  religious  objects ;  whilst 
his  extra  contributions  of  from  one  hundred  to  one 
thousand  dollars,  (unknown  indeed  to  many,)  were 
not  unfrequent.  In  his  last  w-ill  and  testament,  the 
claims  of  Zion  w^ere  as  sacredly  remembered  as  the 
children  of  his  own  body.  Long  will  it  be  before  we 
shall  see  in  our  midst  such  a  minister  as  Jesse  Mercer, 
and  perhaps  as  long  before  we  shall  see  such  a  deacon 
as  Thomas  Cooper.  He  entered  into  his  rest,  July, 
1843,  in  the  73d  year  of  his  age. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Number  of  immediate  conversions  not  a  certain  test  of  a  minister's 
usefulness. — Mr.  Mercer  set  for  the  defence  of  the  gospel. — His 
care  to  establish  his  churches  in  the  truth. — Skilful  to  aid  the 
tempted. — Anecdotes. — His  caution  in  receiving  members. — Able 
disciplinarian. — His  manner  of  presidkig  at  church  meetings. — His 
punctuality. — No  respecter  of  pcrsans. — His  churches  benevolent. 
— Defects  in  the  prevailing  system  of  pastoral  labor. — Mr.  Mercer 
in  revivals. — His  views  on  revivals. — Ministerial  support. — Esti- 
mation in  which  he  was  held. 

Few  ministers  in  our  country  have  scattered  more 
faithfully  and  copiously  the  unadulterated  seed  of  di- 
vine truth  than  IMr.  Mercer,  though  it  would  seem 
from  the  preceding  sketch,  that  his  labors  did  not  re- 
sult in  the  immediate  and  frequent  ingathering  of 
large  crowds  into  his  church.     There  are  no  doubt 


JESSE    MERCER.  59 

many  now  in  heaven,  and  a  goodly  number  now  on 
their  pilgrimage  to  the  promised  land,  who  recognise 
him  as  the  honored  instrument  of  their   conversion ; 
yet  it  is  highly  probable  that  there  have  been  many 
ministers  of  inferior  gifts,  and  of  a  lower  grade  of 
piety,   who   have   been    more    directly    successful    in 
turning  sinners  from  the  error  of  their  ways.     Those 
indeed  are   highly  favored   instruments    whose  mes- 
sages of  love   the  Lord  is  pleased  in  an  eminent  de- 
gree, to   clothe  with  effectual  and  convincing  power, 
and  whose  personal  labors  he  employs  in  gathering 
multitudes  into   the  fold  of  Christ.     Every  minister 
should  humbly  covet   this    honor,  should  labor   with 
holy  and  fervent  intensity,  for  the  speedy  conversion 
of  his  people — of  all  his  people ;  and  if  from  year  to 
year,  his  labors  seem  unfi-uitful,  it  should  be  with  him 
a  matter  of  solemn  and  honest  inquirj%  whether  there 
may  not   be  some  radical  deficiency   in  his   faith  and 
zeal,  his  preparation  and  his  prayers;  or  in  the  man- 
ner and  matter  of  his  communications  from  the  pul- 
pit;   or  in  his  more  private  labors  for  the  good  of 
souls  ;  or  whether  he  may  not  have  mistaken  his  par- 
ticular and  appropriate  field  of  labor.     But  after  all, 
it  must  be  remembered,  that  the  number  of  immediate 
conversions  is  to  be  regarded  as  a  very  imperfect 
standard  of  a  minister's  usefulness.     In  the  in  slather- 
ing  of  sinners,  we  see  the  result  of  the  combined  in- 
fluence of  a. thousand  instrumentalities,  and  for  aught 
we  can  tell,  of  a  thousand  laborers ;  and  who  can  de- 
termine the  precise  amount  of  usefulness  that  is  to  be 
put  to  the  credit  of  each  instiiimentality,  of  each  la- 
borer 1    For  the  want  of  just  and  proper  reflection  on 
this  point,  many  eminently  pious  and  useful  ministers 
are  often  undervalued,  and  it  may  be  said  dishonored 


60  MEMOIRS    OF 

by  their  brethren ;  whilst  others,  whose  labors  seem 
to  be  more  directly  and  visibly  successftil,  are  ca- 
ressed and  praised  as  the  only  ones  whose  sen-ices 
are  to  be  much  esteemed,  and  by  whom  the  cause  of 
Christ  can  be  well  sustained.  Who  but  Omniscience 
can  properly  decide  the  question  of  relative  impor- 
tance and  usefulness  1  There  are  various  departments 
of  labor  in  the  great  field  which  is  to  be  cultivated, 
and  a  great  diversity  of  gifts  are  required  that  they 
may  all  be  properly  filled.  It  does  not  accord  with 
the  ari'angements  of  infinite  wisdom  that  all  possible 
excellencies  shall  be  concentrated  in  every  individual 
whose  duty  it  may  be  to  preach  the  gospel ;  nor  that 
the  usefulness  of  all  should  be  manifested  in  the  same 
way.  There  are  some  to  plant,  and  some  to  water ; 
some  to  sow  and  some  to  reap  ;  some  to  lay  the  foun- 
dation, and  others  to  carry  up  the  superstructure. 
Here  is  a  brother  who,  the  first  year  of  his  ministry, 
w^as  the  instrument  in  one  small  neifjhborhood  of  con- 
verting  a  hundred  souls.  He  is  highly  honored  ;  we 
bless  the  Lord  for  such  a  laborer.  But  who  has  been 
the  most  useful  in  God's  account,  he,  as  the  highly  fa- 
vored instrument  of  their  immediate  conversion ;  or 
the  venerable  inan  of  God,  who  for  twenty  or  thirty 
years,  poured  the  lessons  of  divine  truth  upon  the 
minds  and  consciences  of  the  people,  and  by  the 
faithful  training  of  their  moral  sensibilities,  prepared 
them  for  the  hearty  and  saving  reception  of  the  gos- 
pel message ;  or  the  man  of  caj)acious  mind  and  ex- 
alted piety,  who,  a  hundred  years  before,  and  a  thou- 
sand miles  distant,  brought  into  operation  a  benevo- 
lent enterprise,  by  which  the  gospel  was  ultimately 
carried  to  that  community,  a  church  reared  up,  the 
regular  and  long  continued  administration  of  the  or- 


JLSSE    MERCER.  CI 

diiiaiiccs  secured,  and  many  important  auxiliary  plans 
brought  into  healthful  operation  ]  These  inquiries 
are  propounded  to  show  how  difficult  it  must  be  to 
determine  the  relative  usefulness  of  those  whom  the 
Lord  employs  as  instruments  in  advancing  his  cause 
and  kingdom  on  earth.  They  are  well  calculated  to 
furnish  those  with  motives  to  humility,  who  are  per- 
mitted to  reap  large  harvests  of  immortal  souls,  as 
well  as  to  present  the  most  cheering  grounds  of  en- 
couragement to  those  who  sow  the  seed  in  darkness 
and  tears ;  whilst  all  should  be  stimulated  to  faithful 
and  unwearied  efforts  in  their  respective  spheres,  to 
promote  the  gi-eat  common  cause  of  righteousness 
and  truth;  since  they  are  assured  by  the  infallible 
word  of  God,  that  the  toils  and  sacrifices  of  each  and 
all  are  needful  in  their  place  ;  that  their  labors  shall 
not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord,  and  that  the  weeping  sow- 
er, and  the  joyful  reaper  shall  at  last  meet  and  tri- 
umph together. 

If,  in  the  manner  already  alluded  to,  the  labors  of 
Mr.  Mercer  were  not  as  extensively  blessed  as  those 
of  some  other  servants  of  Christ,  yet  in  other  respects, 
not  less  important,  ■v\^ien  viewed  in  all  their  results, 
he  stood  uj)on  an  elevation  which  has  seldom  been 
reached,  even  by  the  most  gifted  and  eminent  minis- 
ters in  our  land. 

It  may  be  said  of  him,  that,  in  a  peculiar  sense,  he 
was  set  for  the  defence  of  the  gospel.  Its  great  lead- 
ing tiiiths  he  had  studied  intensely  and  profoundly; 
and  if  in  the  clear,  well-defined,  original,  and  masterly 
exhibition  of  these  truths  from  the  pulpit,  he  has  had 
superiors,  or  even  equals,  amongst  the  Baptists  of  our 
country,  they  certainly  have  been  rare. 

Mr.  Mercer  took  much  pains  to  establish  his  churches 


62  MEMOIRS    OF 

in  the  truth.  He  fed  the  lambs — he  fed  the  sheep. 
He  seemed  at  all  times  to  entertain  a  deep  and  solemn 
sense  of  his  ministerial  responsibility,  and  kept  back 
nothing  which  he  considered  would  be  profitable  to 
his  brethren.  He  labored  under  fewer  temptations 
than  most  men  to  pass  by,  or  soften  down,  an  unpal- 
atable doctrine,  out  of  regard  to  the  unreasonable  pre- 
judices of  his  hearers ;  with  the  true  spiiit  of  Christian 
boldness  and  intrepidity,  he  iT)se  above  the  frowns  of 
men,  the  complaints  arrd  cavilling  of  the  carnal  heart, 
and  proclaimed  fearlessly,  though  affectionately,  the 
message  which  he  had  received  from  the  Lord.  He 
studied  duty;  consequences  he  left  with  the  Master 
whom  he  serv^ed.  By  frequently  presenting,  in  their 
scriptural  connexions,  those  doctrines  which  have  been 
most  condemned  by  the  unregenerate,  and  which 
sonietimes  are  converted  into  stumbling  blocks  by 
weak  believers,  his  people  were  generally  convinced 
that  they  were  doctrines  that  tended  to  godliness  ;  and 
even  those  of  his  stated  hearei^  whose  hearts  did  not 
become  reconciled  to  these^  soul-humbling  themes,  in 
view  of  his  clear  illustrations  and  overpowering  argu- 
ments, were  compelled  to  regard  them  as  integral  and 
insepai^able  parts  of  the  system  of  revealed  truth. 
Churches  enjoying  the  stated  ministrations  of  such 
ministers  as  Mr.  Mercer,  would  not  be  easily  driven 
about  by  every  wind  of  doctrine ;  happily  defended 
against  the  sly  insinuations  of  artful  deceivers,  as  weH 
as  the  more  direct  assaults  of  men  of  corrupt  minds. 

Let  it  not  be  supposed,  from  what  has  been  said, 
that  Mr.  Mercer  failed  to  instruct  his  churches  in  the 
practical  duties  of  Christianity.  These,  in  their  place, 
were  faithfully  enforced,  and  often  with  great  pov/er. 
The  readiness  of  his  people  to  engage  in  works  of  be- 


JESSE    MERCER.  63 

nevolence,  the  enlarged  views  which  they  took  of  their 
relation  to  a  world  lying  in  wickedness  and  death,  af- 
ford pleasing  evidence  that  there  was  nothing  in  the 
tenor  of  Mr.  Mercer's  instructions,  calculated  to  en- 
courage, amongst  his  brethren,  the  spirit  of  antinomian 
slumber.  Yet  being  well  persuaded  that  a  correct 
and  godly  practice  must  be  based  upon  a  sound  scrip- 
tural faith,  he  was  more  painstaking  than  most  minis- 
ters, to  establish  his  hearers  in  rigrht  views  of  doctrinal 
truth.  The  influence  of  Mr.  Mercer's  preaching  upon 
the  community  generally,  where  he  statedly  labored, 
was  of  a  salutary  character,  tending  to  the  suppression 
of  vice,  and  the  encouragement  of  quietness,  order, 
and  sound  morality.  It  was  once  remarked  by  an  in- 
telligent and  observing  individual,  that  the  standard  of 
morality,  amongst  the  youth  connected  with  Mr.  Mer- 
cer's congregations,  was  decidedly  more  elevated  than 
amongst  the  same  class  in  other  congregations  in  the 
surrounding  country. 

In  explaining  to  his  people  the  character  of  a  gos- 
pel church,  its  materials,  its  design,  its  ordinances 
and  laws,  he  performed  the  part  of  a  well-instructed 
scribe.  There  are  multitudes,  who  well  remember 
with  what  clearness  and  ability  these  various  and  im- 
portant subjects  were  unfolded  in  his  pulpit  exposi- 
tions. "  Judge  Cobb,"  says  Mr.  Sherwood,  "  who  was 
many  years  in  congress,  was  a  great  admirer  of  his 
talents  and  originality.  He  had  incidentally,  in  a  dis- 
course which  was  listened  to  by  many  of  the  bar,  dis- 
cussed the  subject  of  baptism.  On  retiring.  Judge 
Cobb  exclaimed  to  the  lawyers  in  his  loud,  blunt  man- 
ner, *  Who  of  your  ministers  can  beat  that  V  " 

He  was  not  ignorant  of  Satan's  devices,  and  pos- 
sessed great  skill  in  disengaging  the   minds  of  his 


64  JIEMOIRS    OF 

brethren  from  the  temptations  of  the  adversaiy.  In 
cases  of  spiritual  distress,  his  bretliren  valued  the 
sympathy  and  counsel  of  Mr.  Mercer  above  those  of 
any  other  man,  and  almost  innumerable  were  the 
cases  in  which,  under  such  circumstances,  application 
was  made  to  him  for  instruction.  We  may  be  excused 
for  referrinof  to  one  or  two  instances.  "  I  know  an 
old  brother,"  (the  instances  are  presented  in  the  lan- 
guage of  his  uncle,)  "full  fifty  years  of  age,  and  who 
had  been  for  twenty  years  a  member  of  the  church, 
that  got  into  great  darkness  and  distress  about  his 
spiritual  state  ;  so  much  so,  that  he  mounted  his  horse 
and  rode  twenty-five  miles  to  lay  his  case  before  him. 
He  found  him  at  home,  and  soon  contrived  to  draw  him 
aside,  when,  with  gi^eat  concern,  he  told  his  errand, 
and  in  conclusion,  remarked,  '  I  would  not,  for  a  thou- 
sand worlds,  say  that  I  am  a  Christian^  *  Would 
you,'  said  he,  *  for  as  many  worlds,  say  you  are  not  a 
Christian  ]'  *  No,  I  would  not.'  '  Do  you  believe 
the  devil  suggests  to  one  deceived,  that  he  is  deceived, 
and  strives  to  convince  him  of  it?'  *  Certainly  not.* 
*Do  you  not  believe  he  often  worries  the  Chiistian 
by  such  suggestions,  persuading  him  that  he  is  de- 
ceived, and  in  proof  of  it,  calls  to  his  mind  his  daily 
departures  from  the  j)ath  of  rectitude  and  purity  V 
*  No  doubt  of  it.'  By  this  short  category,  and  by  nar- 
rating some  of  his  ovm.  trials,  the  brother  was  greatly 
relieved,  and  went  home  with  a  light  heart. 

"  Another  brother,  who  had  not  been  long  in  the 
church,  while  reading  the  scriptures  regularly  through, 
was  greatly  shocked  at  many  of  the  heinous  sins  of  the 
saints  of  old,  particularly  some  of  the  acts  of  Lot  and 
of  David.  He  inquired  within  himself,  how  could 
holy  men  commit  such  deeds  1     Could  the  vilest  of 


JESSE    MERCER.  65 

sinners  do  worse  ]  He  reasoned  upon  the  matter, 
until  }ie  was  almost  persuaded  that  religion  was  a 
farce,  and  the  scriptures  an  imposture.  Whilst  ho 
was  in  great  distress,  he  had  an  interview  with  my 
nephew,  and  communicated  the  whole  to  him.  *  Why,' 
said  he,  *  if  the  scriptures  had  recorded  none  but  vir- 
tuous and  holy  acts  of  the  ancient  saints,  they  would 
not  have  met  my  case  ;  but  they  give  an  honest  and 
im2:)artial  history  of  their  lives  ;  their  bad  and  their 
good  acts  are  alike  recorded,  and  From  their  weak- 
ness I  gather  strength.'  The  brother  received  the 
explanation,  and  found  its  application  in  himself,  and 
though  living  to  this  day,  has  not  since  been  annoyed 
by  such  reflections." 

In  receiving  members  into  the  chuixh,  he  exercised 
a  pi-udent  caution.  Whilst  he  would  not  throw  im- 
pediments in  the  way  of  the  worthy  and  deserving,  he 
was  not  favorable  to  that  incautious  haste  with  which 
some  ministers  huny  individuals  forward  to  baptism. 
He  desired  to  find,  in  every  case,  a  sound  scriptural 
experience.  That  comfort  which  is  preceded  by 
clear  and  profound  views  of  the  evil  nature  of  sin, 
and  the  awful  plague  of  the  human  heart,  in  connex- 
ion with  a  proper  conception  of  the  plan  of  salvation 
by  a  crucified  Redeemer,  afforded  him  gi-eat  satisfac- 
tion. He  once  exposed  and  rebuked  some  mistaken 
notions  of  Christian  experience  in  a  rather  singular 
manner,  and  yet  in  a  way  quite  in  character  v/ith  him- 
self. An  individual  came  before  the  church  for  the 
purpose  of  giving  some  account  of  what  he  conceived 
to  be  the  dealings  of  God  with  his  soul.  He  had  con- 
siderable to  say  about  his  own  tenderness  and  feeling, 
and  seemed  to  lay  much  stress  on  that  fact,  without 
being  able  to  give  a  very  satisfactory  account  of  the 

4* 


66  MEMOIRS    OF 

reason  why  he  felt  so  much.  Mr.  Mercer  related  ar/ 
anecdote.  "  When  I  was  a  boy,"  said  he,  "  my  father 
sent  me  out  into  the  woods  to  call  up  the  stock.  I 
took  my  wallet  of  com  and  went  out,  and  to  amuse 
myself,  called  the  swine  in  a  very  sad  and  melancholy 
tone.  As  I  was  proceeding  in  this  way,  the  first  I 
knew  I  found  myself  weeping  at  the  mournful  sound 
of  my  own  voice."  The  application  of  the  circum- 
stance was  not  difficult.  The  individual  concerned, 
and  all  present,  were  very  forcibly  reminded,  that 
mere  tenderness  and  animal  excitement,  foim  but  a 
small  part  of  Christian  experience. 

In  expounding  and  caiTying  into  practical  effect  the 
principles  of  gospel  discipline,  Mr.  Mercer  was  truly 
a  master  in  Israel.     He  had  studied  the  regulations  of 
the  Saviour  for  the  government  of  his  church  with  the 
greatest  attention,  and  though,  upon  every  point,  his 
decisions  ma}'-  not  accord  with  the  opinions  of  all  his 
brethren,  yet  on  the  whole,  he  must  be  regarded  as 
one  of  the  most  judicious,  correct,  and  able  expound- 
ers of  discipline,  that  has  ever  been  connected  with 
the  Baptist  denomination.    With  just  and  sound  views 
upon  nearly  every  subject  connected  with  the  govern- 
ment of  the  church,  he  united  an  admirable  talent  for 
adiTtinistering  that  government  wisely  and  efficiently. 
He  generally  acted  with  great  faithfulness,  firmness, 
and  decision,  feeling  that  for  the  proper  exercise  of 
the  ministerial  authority,  which  he  had  received  from 
the  great  head  of  the  church,  he  was  to  be  held  ac- 
countable.    "  He  used  frequently  to  impress  on  his 
brethren,"  says  a  Christian  friend,  **in  regard  to  dis- 
cipline, the  importance  of  straight-forward  business, 
and  not  to  delay  when  matters  were  ripe  for  settle- 
ment.    He  was  opposed  to  '  dodging,'  and  attempts 


JESSE  Mercer.  67 

at  creeping  out  of  responsibility.  '  It  does  not  be- 
come the  gospel.  If  I  go  according  to  the  scriptural 
path,'  he  would  observe,  '  I  am  safe,  whether  we  ex- 
clude or  retain.' " 

He  presided   at  his  church   conference   meetings 
with  much  gravity  and  ministerial  decorum ;  calling 
up  business  according  to  some  just  method,  and  not 
allowing  questions  under  consideration  to  be  entan- 
gled and  swallowed  up  with  extraneous  matter.    Dur- 
ing the   discussion  of  a  subject,  irregularity  and  dis- 
order seldom  went  unreproved  ;  *'  even  the  whispers 
of  an  old  sister,"  says  one,  "could  scarcely  escape  a 
reprimand."    A  listless  and  languid  manner  of  attend- 
ing to  the  business  of  the   Lord,  he  greatly  disap- 
proved.    Many  years  ago,    the   clerk  of  one  of  his 
churches  was  calling    over  the    names   of  the  male 
members  pi-eparatory  to  the  adjournment  of  the  con- 
ference.    It  was  a  cold  day  and  a  cold  church.     The 
members   answered  to  their  names  in  such  a  lifeless 
tone  of  voice,  that  they  could  scarcely  be  heard;   and 
in  some  cases,  the  languid   answer  would  not  come 
until  the  name  had  been  two  or  three  times  repeated. 
The  clerk,  however,  patiently  continued  to  call  the 
names,  and  attentively  to  listen  for  the  answers,  until 
he  had  finished  tlie  list.     Mr.  IMercer,  whose  head  all 
the  while  had  been  hanging  very  low,  arose  from  his 
seat   with  much    concern    on   his    countenance,  and 
gravely   said,  *'  u:cll,   hretlircn,   if  your  'religion  is  as 
weak  as  your  voices,  it  is  icealz  indeed  ;  let  us  pray," 
The  reproof  was  deeply  felt,  and  duiing  the  prayer, 
which  was  the  concluding  service,  many  heavy  groans 
were  heard,  apparently  acknowledging  the  justness 
of  the  minister's  rebuke.     "  Its  good  effects,"  adds 
the  naiTator  of  the  above  circumstance,  **  were  mani- 


6S  MEMOIRS    OF 

fest  for  a  great  while,  and  I  doubt  if  its  influence  is 
entirely  lost  to  this  day." 

Mr.  Mercer  was  remarkably  punctual  in  meeting 
all  his  appointments.  It  would  be  difficult  to  find  a 
brighter  example  in  this  respect,  in  the  whole  history 
of  ministerial  labor.  Nothing  but  sickness,  or  some 
other  unavoidable  necessity  was  ever  allowed  to  keep 
him  from  his  meetings,  or  even  to  delay  his  arrival  at 
the  appointed  place  later  than  the  usual  hour.  Small 
impediments  he  found  no  difficulty  in  sunnounting. 
For  instance,  if  he  came  to  a  creek  swollen  to  a  dan- 
gerous torrent,  he  could  strip  his  horse,  drive  him 
across  the  stream,  and  with  his  saddle  and  saddle-bags 
on  his  back,  search  out  for  himself  a  crossing  place 
on  some  log  or  fallen  tree.  This  he  once  did  on  his 
way  to  a  Saturday  meeting  at  Bethesda.  At  the  next 
monthly  meeting,  some  of  the  brethren  in  making 
their  excuses  for  absence  at  the  previous  conference, 
observed  that  they  started  for  the  meeting,  but  upon 
finding  the  creek  impassable,  they  returned.  "  If  you 
had  waited  a  little  longer,"  replied  Mr.  Mercer,  "  I 
would  have  shoicn  you  the  way.^'  No  man  was  better 
qualified  than  he,  to  show  to  others  the  way  in  regard 
to  the  prompt  and  exact  discharge  of  duty.  On  ano- 
ther occasion,  after  he  had  been  for  a  long  time  en- 
gaged in  the  ministry,  he  was  travelling  in  his  carnage, 
and  was  compelled,  by  high  waters,  to  turn  aside  from 
his  meeting,  a4?d  spend  the  Sabbath  at  the  house  of  a 
pious  Baptist  sister.  He  seemed  very  restless,  and 
often  walked  the  house  in  great  apparent  disquietude* 
The  kind  sister  inquired  into  the  cause  of  his  uneasi- 
ness. "  Ah,"  said  he,  "  I  feel  like  a  fish  out  of  water; 
this  is  the  very  first  time,  since  the  commencement  of 
my  ministry,  that  I  have  been   absent  from  public 


j£SSfi    MERCER.  69 

worship  on  the  Sabbatli,  when  my  heaUh  would  allow 
my  attendance." 

He  was  equally  punctual  in  his  attendance  on  the 
business  meetings  of  his  brethren,  where  his  presence 
was  expected  ;  and  when  present  on  such  occasions, 
he  was  not  like  niany,  who  hurry  business  through  to 
a  premature  conclusion,  or  break  abruptly  away  be- 
fore it  is  finished ;  he  could  find  time  and  patience 
for  the  due  consideration  of  every  important  matter, 
and  seldom  left  till  the  business  of  the  meeting  was 
all  properly  disposed  of. 

In  his  intercourse  with  his  brethren,  he  was  no  re- 
specter of  ^icrsons ;  there  was  great  unifonnity  in  the 
manner  in  which  he  treated  the  rich  and  the  poor,  tho 
ignorant  and  the  more  refined.  When  he  visited  his 
more  distant  churches,  he  would  spend  his  nights,  first 
with  one,  and  then  with  another,  without  regard  to 
the  distinctions  of  rank  and  wealth  ;  leaving  none  any 
gi'ound  to  make  the  complaint,  which  is  sometimes 
urged  against  ministers,  that  he  was  ahvays  careful  to 
search  out  those  places  wdiere  he  could  get  the  best 
suppers  and  the  most  comfortable  bedding. 

It  has  already  been  intimated,  that  Mr.  Mercer's 
churches  were  forward  to  acknowledge  the  claims  of 
benevolence.  In  this  respect,  they  stood  in  the  front 
ranks.  His  own  bright  example,  his  frequent  ajipeals 
from  the  pulpit,  and  his  private,  personal  applications 
to  persons  in  and  out  of  the  church,  were  generally 
successful  in  securing  a  respectable  tribute  for  the 
treasury  of  the  Lord.  He  accomplished  less  by  the 
agency  of  societies,  than  many  have  done,  thinking  it 
best,  in  the  general,  for  the  churches,  as  such,  to  act 
as  benevolent  societies,  without  too  many  separate  or- 
ganizations.    Where  churches,  however,  were  divided 


70  Memoirs  of* 

in  sentiment  as  to  benevolent  operations,  or  were  not 
disposed  to  act  efficiently,  he  was  ever  forward  to  en» 
courage  these  other  auxiliary  measures. 

So  many  churches  were  resting  upon  his  pastoral 
care,  and  so  large  was  the  territory  to  be  occupied  by  his 
ministry,  it  would  appear  next  lo  impossible  for  Mr. 
Mercer  to  perform  all  those  labors,  and  carry  into 
complete,  practical  operation,  all  those  plans,  which 
would  seem  to  be  important  to  meet  all  the  spiritual 
wants  of  his  peoj)le.  The  sick  could  not  always  be 
visited ;  intimate  and  frequent  personal  intercourse 
could  not  be  kept  up  with  the  scattered  members  of 
his  various  flocks  ;  and  on  this  account,  their  spiritual 
wants  being  in  some  respects  imperfectly  understood, 
there  could  not  have  been  as  perfect  an  adaptation  of 
ministerial  instruction  to  all  the  varied  necessities  of 
his  people  as  would  have  been  desirable.  And  how 
could  it  be  expected,  that  in  the  number  of  discourses 
which  he  delivered  to  his  several  churches,  notwith- 
standing the  rich  and  faithful  instructions  which  they 
contained,  there  could  be  imbodied,  without  a  mira- 
cle, that  unbroken  compass  and  full  variety  of  scrip- 
tural truth,  so  important  for  the  ^j'cr/lr^/w^  of  the  saints, 
and  the  comj)lete  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ. 

Never  can  the  churches  be  brought  up  to  their  ma- 
tured strength  and  glory,  until  there  is  poured  upon 
them  a  more  complete  and  powerful  concentration  of 
pastoral  labor  and  influence,  than  is  allowed  by  that 
scattered,  diluted  system,  which  too  generally  prevails 
in  our  southern  churches.  In  addition  to  the  evils  al- 
ready hinted  at,  the  system  has  a  direct  tendency  to 
prevent  the  proper  improvement  and  useful  employ- 
ment, of  many  of  our  ministerial  gifts.  The  churches, 
being  too  well  satisfied  with  their  monthly  supplies. 


JESSE    MERCER.  71 

an  order  of  tilings  which,  in  many  instances,  originated 
in  the  peculiar  necessities  of  our  denomination  in  the 
early  settlement  of  the  country,  have  very  naturally 
been  disposed  to  seek  the  services  of  the  most  popu- 
lar preachers,  though  they  might  reside  twenty,  or  fifty 
miles  distant,  and  overlook  the  less  improved  and 
shining  gifts  springing  up  in  their  midst.  Had  these 
gifts  been  properly  nurtured,  the  churches  might 
have  had  an  ample  supply  of  useful  pastors ;  and  en- 
joying the  constant  ministrations  of  faithful  men, 
though  of  but  moderate  abilities,  how  much  more 
healthful  would  have  been  their  condition,  than  with 
the  occasional  and  desultory  labors  of  more  gifted 
ministers.  But  this  system,  which  would  have  called 
at  first  for  a  little  more  patience  and  self-denial,  and 
perhaps  pecuniary  aid,  did  not  suit  the  taste  of  our 
brethren :  "  Give  us  at  once  the  fruit  from  those  choice 
vines,  and  if  we  can  obtain  but  now  and  then  a  small 
supply,  we  shall  be  satisfied.  We  had  rather  have 
the  monthly  labors  of  Abram  Marshall,  or  James  Arm- 
strong, or  Jesse  ?>Iercer,  than  the  constant  attendance  of 
brother  such  a  one,  and  brother  such  a  one."  What 
was  the  consequence  1  The  branches  of  our  noble 
vines  were  spread  over  such  extended  fields,  that  their 
rich  finiit  fell  in  scattered  clusters  ;  whilst  many  pious 
and  precious  brethren,  that,  with  sufficient  encourage- 
ment, might  have  risen  to  respectability,  languished  in 
the  shade.  The  subject  of  this  memoir  has  been  heard 
to  lament  the  evil ;  and  it  is  more  than  probable,  that 
this  consideration  was  not  overlooked,  when,  in  sub- 
sequent years,  he  was  induced  to  limit  his  labors  to  a 
nan'ower  field.  But  notwithstanding  what  has  juct 
been  said,  it  is  with  peculiar  satisfaction  the  writer 
records  the  fact,  that  but  few  ministers  in  our  country 


*12  MEMOIRS    Of 

have  more  fully  and  faithfully  occupied  a  field  of  the 
same  extent.  Before  advancing  years  and  bodily  in- 
firmities called  for  some  relaxation,  he  was  in  labors 
abundant.  A  formal,  monthly  visit  to  his  churches^ 
was  far  from  meeting  his  views  of  ministerial  duty ; 
he  spent  a  large  portion  of  his  time  in  holding  meet- 
inofs  in  contio^uous  and  intermediate  neig:liborhoods» 
sometimes  preaching  day  and  night  for  weeks  in  suc^ 
cession.  By  these  zealous  and  multiplied  labors, 
some  of  the  evils  of  the  system  complained  of  were 
greatly  mitigated ;  much  precious  seed  was  scattered 
far  and  wide  ;  multitudes  w^ere  brought  under  the  in* 
fluence  of  Mr.  Mercer's  wise  instructions,  and  not  a 
few  were  aroused  by  his  warnings  to  timely  reflection, 
and  induced  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come. 

"  He  always,"  says  a  friend  who  sat  many  years 
under  his  ministry,  "  wore  an  aspect  of  deep  solemnity 
in  times  of  revival,  seemed  to  feel  deeply  his  respon- 
sibility, and  to  take  the  sincerest  interest  in  the  salva- 
tion of  his  hearers,  especially  such  as  were  mourning 
and  weeping  on  account  of  their  sins,  and  crying, 
\vhat  shall  We  do  to  be  saved]  On  such  occasions,  he 
would  hold  on,  and  preach,  exhort,  and  pray,  night 
and  day,  warning  the  unfeeling  and  impenitent,  and 
instructing  and  encouraging  the  humble  and  contrite. 
On  the  part  of  the  latter,  I  have  obseiTed  him  when 
he  would  apparently  j)our  forth  his  Vv^hole  soul  in 
prayer,  at  the  same  time  calling  to  their  minds  the  in- 
vitations and  promises  of  the  gospel ;  and  so  deeply 
would  he  feel,  and  so  solemn  and  devout  would  be 
his  exercises,  that  the  whole  con sfre station  w^ould  be 
wrapped  in  the  profoundest  silence.  Many  were 
brous^ht  to  the  knowleds:e  of  the  tiTith  throuo-h  his  in- 

o  o  c 

strum entality,  and  such  was  his  constant  zeal,  his  se- 


JESSE    MERCER.  73 

rious  deportment,  and  devout  conversation,  that  he 
seemed  to  give  tone  and  depth  to  the  revivals  in  which 
he  was  engaged." 

From  the  foregoing,  it  is  evident  that  Mr.  Mercer 
was  a  behever  in  the  reality  and  desirableness  of  re- 
vivals of  religion,  and  that  he  labored  to  encourage 
and  promote  them  amongst  his  churches.  How  often 
and  feelingly  he  repeated  the  quotation,  ^^  Lord,  revive 
us,  Lord,  revive  us,^^  in  his  letters  to  pious  friends, 
many  can  well  remember.  He  probably  depended 
more  upon  the  stated  and  uniform  administration  of 
the  means  of  gi'ace,  and  less  upon  special  and  extra- 
ordinary efforts,  than  many  of  his  brethren ;  yet  upon 
all  suitable  occasions,  he  was  ready  to  assist  at  pro- 
tracted meetings,  and  he  generally  brought  to  them  a 
fervent,  prayerful  and  anxious  heart.  On  such  occa- 
sions, he  never  lost  sight  of  the  absolute  necessity  of 
the  Spirit's  influence  to  give  efficacy  to  the  means  of 
grace.  This  sentiment  seemed  to  be  interwoven,  in  the 
most  complete,  scriptural,  and  engaging  manner,  with 
his  prayers,  his  exhortations  and  preaching.  Every 
thing  like  glorying  in  men  and  measures,  to  the  for- 
ge tfulness  of  human  weakness,  and  the  glory  of  God, 
his  humble,  holy  spirit,  deeply  deplored  and  sincerely 
loathed.  He  had  no  fellowship  for  forced,  unnatural, 
and  mechanical  efforts  to  move  the  symj^athies,  **  a7id 
get  lip  a  revival^  Every  thing  boisterous,  confusing 
and  disorderly,  in  the  progress  of  religious  meetings, 
was  abhoiTent  from  his  judgment  and  feelings.  "  Let 
every  thing  be  done  decently  and  in  order,"  was  the 
rule  which  he  inculcated  on  others,  and  by  which  his 
own  course  was  habitually  governed. 

Some  of  Mr.  Mercer's  views  upon  the  subject  of 
revivals  may  be  learned  from  the  following  extracts 


74  MEMOIRS    OP 

from  a  communication  published  in  the  Christian  In- 
dex, in  1832  :  "  I  have  little  difficulty  with  C.  S.  A. 
in  all  he  has  said  of  '  Christian  obligation,'  in  regard 
to  revivals.  I  would  not  take  a  jot  or  tittle  from  it, 
but  still  I  do  not  admit  that  a  revival  is  the  result  of 
this  obligation,  performed  in  its  most  pure  degree,  but 
rather  that  the  highest  state  of  practical  godliness, 
which  we  ever  witness,  is  produced  by  the  revival  it- 
self. I  think  it  probable  your  excellent  correspondent 
and  I  do  not  understand  each  other.  He  seems  to 
have  his  eye  fixed  on  the  practical,  while  mine  is  in- 
tensely directed  to  the  radical  cause.  He  is  looking 
at  the  issue  of  living  waters  ;  I  am  examining  for  the 
reservoir  of  divine  power  and  efficacious  grace.  *   *  * 

**  When  men  grasp  the  means,  even  of  God's  ap- 
pointment, with  a  design  of  accomplishing  the  end, 
both  shall  be  nothing,  except  it  be  to  produce  Islnnael- 
ites — so)is  of  tlie  ficsli.  It  is  one  thing  for  men  to 
take  hold  of  the  means,  as  agents,  and  go  to  work  like 
Jehu,  to  show  their  zeal  for  the  Lord  of  Hosts  ;  and 
quite  another  thing  to  go  forth  with  equal  zeal,  but 
with  entire  dependence  on  the  power  that  moves  them, 
like  the  axe,  or  saw,  shaken  by  the  hand  of  a  cunning 
workman.  I  have  seen,  (as  it  appears  to  me,)  too 
much  leaning  to  the  efficiency  of  means,  (or  to  the  suf- 
ficiency of  human  ability  to  comply,)  if  they  were 
faithfully  plied.  Thus  the  success  of  some  ministers 
in  the  conversion  of  sinners,  more  than  others,  has 
been  merited  into  the  difterence  of  mode  used  in  ad- 
dressing  them.  As  if,  [were]  the  means  rightly  used, 
and  sinners  properly  addressed,  the  success  would 
necessarily  follow,  which  to  me  robs  God  of  his  glory. 

"  What  we  often  hear  of  getting  tip  and  continuing 
revivals,  seems  to  be  too  of  the  same  sort.     As  if, 


JESSE    MERCER.  76 

whenever  Christians  will  unite  in,  and  faithfully  use 
the  means,  a  revival  will  of  consequence  follow ; 
which  renders  the  cause  of  the  conversion  of  sinners, 
into  xhefaitJiful  use  of  the  means,  or  holds  God  de- 
pendent on  his  people  for  the  success  of  his  gospel. 
Not  but  Christians  ought  to  live  always  in  the  faithful 
discharge  of  e^'ery  duty,  looking  to  God  for  his  re- 
viving grace,  to  give  effect  to  all  their  efforts.  But  I 
fear  that  revivals  are  too  often  gotten  up  in  appearance 
only.  That  Satan,  the  better  to  effect  his  purposes, 
assumes  tJie  angel  of  ligJit,  and  does  wonders  by  the 
slight  of  men,  I  doubt  not.  When  God  works,  Satan 
goes  to  work  also.  Thus  it  may  be  in  revivals  ;  a 
gi'eat  wind,  followed  by  earthquake  and  fire,  may  rend 
the  mountains  and  break  the  rocks  of  human  passions, 
while  God  may  pass  on  only  in  milder  forms  of  divine 
power,  at  which  the  prophets  of  the  Lord  wrap  their 
blushing  faces  in  the  mantle  of  humble  acknowledg- 
ment. My  desire  is,  that  in  the  use  of  the  means, 
whether  for  the  revival  of  grace,  or  the  awakening  of 
sinners,  lie  that  glories,  may  glory  in  the  LiordT 

It  has  already  been  noticed,  that  in  the  early  part 
of  Mr.  Mei'cer's  ministry,  he  received  but  little  joecu- 
niary  assistance  from  his  churches  ;  at  a  later  period, 
as  their  resources  improved,  and  they  became  better 
instructed  in  their  duty,  they  afforded  him  a  more  • 
ready  and  liberal  compensation.  Believing  that  it 
was  a  part  of  God's  declared  wall,  that  he  that  preaches 
the  gospel  should  live  of  the  gospel,  he  was  not  afraid 
nor  ashamed,  on  suitable  occasions,  to  remind  his 
brethren  of  their  duty  in  this  particular.  The  crim- 
inal backwardness  of  the  churches  in  contributing  of 
their  carnal  things  to  those  who  minister  to  them  in 
spiritual  things,  he  attributed,  in  a  great  measure,  ta 


76  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  unfaithfulness  of  ministers  in  not  expounding  to 
their  brethren  this  portion  of  the  counsel  of  God- 
But  whilst  he  would  have  the  churches  discharge 
their  duties  to  their  pastors,  he  was  very  far  from  en- 
courasrinor  his  ministerinor  brethren  in  the  neglect  of 
their  solemn  obligations.  He  would  have  them  de- 
vote themselves  wholly  to  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
casting  themselves  with  a  generous  confidence  upon 
the  liberality  of  their  brethren,  and  exercising,  at  all 
times,  unshaken  faith  in  the  promises  of  the  Lord. 
**  It  was  a  custom  with  him,"  says  President  Sher- 
wood, (to  whom  the  writer  of  this  memoir  is  indebted 
for  much  valuable  assistance,)  ''  to  reason  with  his 
ministering  brethren  for  their  want  of  faith,  especially 
if  they  engaged  in  secular  pursuits,  to  the  neglect  of 
their  sacred  profession.  *  There  is  no  trust  in  God,' 
he  would  say,  *  if  a  certain  salary  is  secured  you.  Go 
out  to  labor  in  the  Lord's  vineyard  constantly,  and  he 
will  see  to  the  support  of  your  family.'  If  it  were 
objected  that  some  had  tried  it,  and  a  sufficient  sup- 
port had  not  been  furnished,  he  would  answer,  that  it 
was  a  half-hearted  kind  of  faith,  by  which  such  were 
actuated,  and  not  unshaken  confidence  in  God,  else  a 
failure  would  not  have  happened." 

In  this  connexion,  a  short  extract  fiom  a  letter  writ- 
ten to  the  Rev.  B.  Manly,  Nov.  13, 1825,  might  not  be 
inappropriate.  "  I  am  very  much  pleased,"  says  he, 
"  with  the  resolution  you  have  formed,  both  as  it 
respects  your  continuance  where  you  are,  and  the 
making  a  fair  trial  '  whether  a  minister  of  Christ  can- 
not be  supported  on  gospel  principles.'  The  views 
you  take  in  regard  to  going  to  Philadelphia,  (and  I 
will  add  to  Charleston,)  are  very  ijroper  ^nA  forcible. 
As  it  respects  the  'fair  trials  you  must  not  be  too 


JESSE    MERCER.  77 

soon  discouraged.  And  you  must  lay  it  up  in  your 
heart,  (and  Mrs.  M.  too,)  that  many  temptations  and 
gi'cat  tribulations  will  come  to  your  lot,  and  you  will 
suffer  many  things,  which  ^fashionable  world  around 
you,  and  those  lusts  which  war  in  your  members,  which 
are  unsanctified  as  yet,  will  call  privations ;  so  that 
you  must  be  willing-  to  suffer,  taking  for  your  example, 
the  Lord  Jesus  and  his  ajiostles." 

At  this  point,  might  it  not  be  well  to  pause  a  mo- 
ment and  solemnly  inquire,  if  there  has  not  been  a 
gi'eat  fault  amongst  ministers  touching  the  important 
subject  just  brought  to  view.  The  churches,  espe- 
cially in  the  Baptist  denomination,  have  no  doubt  in- 
volved themselves  in  great  criminality,  by  neglecting 
to  provide  properly  for  the  temporal  support  of  their 
pastors ;  but  does  charity  and  truth  forbid  us  to  sup- 
pose, that  this  may  often  have  been  peraiitted  by  the 
Lord,  as  a  just,  though  painful  retribution  to  ministers 
for  their  worldly-mindedness  and  want  of  faith.  They 
often  complain  of  the  churches,  but  in  all  cases  are 
they  certain  that  by  faith,  by  enduring  hardness  as 
good  soldiers,  by  a  reasonable  and  patient  continuance, 
by  a  prayerful,  hearty,  and  entire  devotion  to  their 
work,  they  have  proved  what  the  churches  would  do 
for  their  support,  or  rather,  what  the  Lord,  in  his  faith- 
fulness and  love,  would  do  for  them  ]  Can  there  be 
any  doubt  but  what,  if  our  young  brethren  would 
bring  to  their  work  more  of  that  zeal,  and  energy,  and 
"  martyr  sjpirit^^  which  characterized  the  labors  of 
apostolic  days,  and  which  Christ  requires  of  all  his 
ministers,  and  cast  themselves  upon  the  promises  of 
God,  and  the  Christian  generosity  of  their  brethren,  a 
more  ample  and  certain  support  might  be  expected  % 
The  labors  of  such  ministers  would  be  valued  and 


78  MEMOIRS    OP 

sought  for ;  such  devoted  sers'ants  would  be  esteemed 
very  highly  in  love  for  their  work's  sake ;  and  the 
churches,  being  abundantly  comforted  and  edified  by 
their  ministrations,  might  be  reasonably  expected,  in 
return,  to  communicate  more  liberally  of  their  tempo- 
ral supplies.  Are  all  those,  who  have  made  experi- 
ments and  failed,  certain  that  they  have  made  *'  a  fair 
trial  V  Are  they  certain  that  they  have  not  made  it 
with  "  a  hoJf-hearted  kind  of  faith  V  When  a  min- 
ister is  too  soon  discouraged,  distrusts  the  Lord,  and 
distrusts  his  brethren,  and,  to  provide  for  his  temporal 
wants,  hastily,  and  incautiously  encumbers  himself 
with  those  wordly  cares,  which  leave  but  a  fragment 
of  his  time,  and  heart,  and  hands,  for  the  duties  of  his 
calling,  is  it  strange  that  his  church,  or  churches,  half- 
taught,  half-disciplined,  should  fall  into  error  on  their 
part,  and  by  their  parsimonious  policy,  at  last  rivet 
permanently  upon  his  hands,  those  fetters,  which,  in 
part  at  least,  he  had  prepared  for  himself?  There  is 
no  doubt  a  double  fault :  the  ministers  are  in  fault ; 
the  churches  are  in  fault ;  and  it  becomes  both 
churches  and  ministers  to  bemoan  the  evil  which  ex- 
ists, and  seriously  inquire  into  the  causes  which  have 
produced  it,  and  the  remedies  by  which  it  might  be 
healed. 

But  to  return  to  Mr.  Mercer  and  his  churches.  It 
would  be  improper  to  close  this  chapter  without  say- 
ing something  of  the  estimation  in  which  he  was  held 
amongst  the  people  where  he  labored.  On  this  sub- 
ject, facts  would  justify  the  use  of  the  strongest  ex- 
pressions. Never  was  a  minister  more  immoveably 
rooted  in  the  respect,  confidence,  and  affection  of  his 
people.  There  were  many  like  the  Galatians,  who 
would  have  been  ready,  as  it  were,  to  have  plucked  out 


JESSE    MERCER.  79 

their  eyes  and  given  them  to  him ;  though,  unlike  the 
Galatians,  their  good  will  and  devotion  endured  to  the 
end.  To  all  classes  of  the  community  he  was  an  ob- 
ject of  deep  interest.  Childhood  and  youth  looked 
up  to  him  with  filial  awe ;  manhood  and  old  age  were 
ever  ready  to  do  him  honor.  The  wise  regarded  him 
with  admiration  ;  whilst  the  most  illiterate  could  see 
enough  in  him  to  revere  and  love.  Though  he  was  a 
terror  to  evil  doers,  yet  the  profligate  and  profane, 
who  would  stand  abashed  in  his  presence,  or  even 
hide  themselves  from  his  view  as  he  passed  along  the 
streets,  would  speak  of  him  in  terms  of  exalted  com- 
mendation. Nor  was  it  strange  that  all  this  should  be 
so.  Such  an  exhibition  as  he  made,  for  a  long  series  of 
years,  of  high  intellectual  power,  sound,  discriminating 
judgment,  engaging  and  amiable  virtues,  strict  and  un- 
bending integrity  in  all  his  dealings  with  men,  and 
above  all,  of  sincere,  honest,  and  undeviating  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  his  Divine  Master,  would  naturally  secure 
to  him  the  position  which  he  occupied  in  the  hearts  of 
his  brethren,  and  the  estimation  of  his  fellow-citizens 
at  large.  He  had  his  faults,  and  he  had  his  enemies ; 
but  the  former  were  small  in  comparison  with  his  vir- 
tues ;  and  the  latter  could  never  dislodge  him  from 
the  affection  and  confidence  of  the  people.  The  fol- 
lowing extracts  from  a  letter  written  by  one  of  his 
intimate  friends,  on  hearing  a  report  of  Mr.  Mercer's 
death,  (which,  however,  soon  proved  to  be  erroneous) 
may  serve  as  an  illustration  of  the  respect  and  attach- 
ment which  were  felt  for  him  by  those  who  knew  him 
best. 


80  MEMOIRS    OP 

"  Neiu-Yorh,  25th  Aug.,  1819. 
"Reuben  T.  Battle,  Esq., 

"  My  Dear  Friend : — On  Monday  last  *  *  *  I  re- 
ceived from  my  son  G.  the  melancholy  tidings  of  the 
death  of  Rev.  Jesse  Mercer.     I  have  one,  and  only 
one  method,  by  which  I  can  commmiicate  my  feelings 
on   this    awfully   solemn    and    melancholy   occasion, 
which  is  by  referring  you  to  your  own  feelings  on  the 
memorable  7th  August,  1819,  when  this  great  herald 
of  his  IM aster — the  faithful  pastor  of  the  church  of 
Christ — the  sincere   and  unassuming^  Christian — the 
lovely,    loving    and    beloved    friend — the    kind    and 
manly   husband — the    fiiendly   neighbor — the    sound 
and  punctual  dealer — your  and  my  particular  friend, 
made  his  exit  from  this  world  of  sorrow  and  misery, 
to  inhabit  that  heavenly  mansion  which   his  blessed 
Saviour  had  prepared  for  him.     *  *  We  know  not 
how  to  estimate  a  blessing  but  by  its  loss.     Oh,  my 
dear  Reuben,  how  shall  we  sustain  the  stroke  !     New- 
York,  and  all  the  beauties  of  the  north,  are  to  me  now 
worse  than  blanks  :    my  Mercer  is  gone  !     Oh,  how 
often  did  his  expressive  eyes,  (now  sealed  in  death,) 
swim  in  tears,  giving  evidence  of  the  ardor  of  his  soul, 
whilst  his  humble  and  plaintive  voice,   with  indescri- 
bable pathos,  strongly  supplicated  the  throne  of  grace 
for  my  poor  soul,   and  the  souls  of  my  dear  family, 
that  we  might  be  partakers  of  those  invaluable  bless- 
ings, which  he  himself  so  richly  enjoyed.  *  *  * 

"  I  am  anxious  to  see  Powelton  and  its  inhabitants  ; 
but  oh,  what  shall  I  do,  Mercer  is  gone  !  The  great 
Head  of  his  church  surely  has  a  controversy  with  his 
people,  or  he  would  not  so  soon  have  called  his  ser- 
vant home.  Oh,  my  friend,  what  shall  we  do,  our 
Mercer  is  gone !     I  shall  leave  this  now  dreary  city 


JESSE    MERCER.  81 

to-nioiTOW.     My  respects  to  poor  Mrs.  Mercer  and 
your  family,  Dr.  Battle,  and  other  friends. 

"  Yours,  truly, 

"  Isaiah  Tucker." 

''Philadelphia,  28iA  Atig.  1319. 

**  Dear  Sir  : — 

*'  After  having  written  the  preceding  lines  in  New- 
York,  I  concluded  to  come  on  and  put  it  in  the  P.  O. 
here.  Dr.  Holcombe  shows  me  a  letter  from  Fran- 
ces, three  days  after  date  of  Germain's,  and  mentions 
a  report  contradicting  that  of  Mercer's  death,  but  that 
his  physicians  had  given  him  over.  Oh,  my  heart 
trembles  in  suspense ;  but  my  hope  is  small  indeed. 
I  have  written  on  to  Germain  to  strew  the  road  before 
me  with  letters,  that  I  may  be  in  possession  of  facts 
as  soon  as  possible. 

"  Yours,  I.  T." 


CHAPTER  V. 


Mr.  Mercer's  labors  on  his  journeys  from  home,  at  Associations, 
&c. — Circulates  useful  books. — His  Cluster. — Extracts  from  hU 
Correspondence. — His  relation  to  political  affairs. 

In  estimating  the  extent  and  value  of  Mr.  Mercer's 
ministerial  labors,  we  are  by  no  means  to  confine  our 
attention  to  those  bestowed  upon  his  churches,  and 
regions  immediately  contiguous.  The  destitution  of 
more  distant  communities  called  forth  his  bciieyolent 
and  useful  exertions,  and  ofi;en,  either  in  company 
with  other  zealous  preachers,  or  by  himself,  he  would 


83  MEMOIRS    OP 

make  lengthy  excursions,  proclaiming  with  great 
power  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom.  He  not  only  trav- 
elled extensively  in  his  own  state,  but  often  extended 
his  routes  into  neighboring  states.  There  has  already 
been  an  allusion  to  his  visit  to  North  Carolina  in  com- 
pany with  his  father.  Most  of  the  year  1799  he  spent 
in  travelling  and  preaching  in  the  states  of  South  Car- 
olina, North  Carolina  and  Virginia.  On  this  tour  he 
travelled  upwards  of  three  thousand  miles.  He  also 
visited  the  city  of  Charleston  once  or  twice,  preached 
with  much  acceptance  to  the  people,  and  was  much 
gratified  with  the  Christian  intercourse  he  there  en- 
joyed with  his  Baptist  brethren. 

Besides  attendins;-  the  annual  meetings  of  the  Geor- 
gia  Association,  and  the  State  Convention,  he  was  in 
the  habit  of  visiting  regularly,  for  several  years,  the 
Hephzibah,  Sare23ta,  and  Ocmulgee  Associations,  and 
occasionally  several  others  in  the  state,  and  in  South 
Carolina.  On  his  way  to  these  bodies,  as  well  as  on 
his  return,  he  generally  preached  from  place  to  place, 
always  ready  to  embrace  every  opportunity  to  unfold 
the  excellency  of  the  glorious  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 
The  great  respect  v/hich  was  everywhere  entertained 
for  his  Christian  and  ministerial  character,  generally 
secured  laro-e  and  attentive  c on orre stations  :  and  there 
are  multitudes  still  living,  who  cherish,  with  peculiar 
delight,  the  remembrance  of  these  occasional  visits. 

At  the  annual  meetino-s  of  these  various  religious 
bodies,  he  might  be  said  truly  to  magnify  his  office, 
as  a  zealous  and  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament. 
They  were  occasions  well  calculated  to  waiTn  his  af- 
fections, to  arouse  his  intellectual  powers,  and  unlock 
his  rich  store-house  of  Christian  experience  and  scrip- 
tural knowledge.     There  would  he  often  meet  some 


JESSE    MERCER.  S3 

-of  the  aged  veterans,  with  whom  he  had  been  associ- 
ated in  the  trials,  and  toils,  and  sacrifices  of  his  youth- 
ful   ministry.      There    would   he    find    himself    sur- 
rounded by  many,  who,  in  times  past,  had  been  con- 
victed under  his  preaching,  or  conducted  by  him  to 
the  Saviour's  feet,  or  comforted  by  him  in  some  sea- 
son of  peculiar  affliction,  or  ushered  by  his  kind  and 
fatherly  attentions  into  the  ministry,  or  had  received 
some  other  spiritual  benefit  from  his  stated  or  occa- 
sional   ministrations.     There    also    would   be    many, 
who  had  been  familiar,  from  childhood,  with  the  name 
of  Jesse  Mercer,  but  had  never  before  been  permitted 
to  gaze  upon  his  venerated  forai,  and  who  were  more 
anxious  to  hear  something  from  his  lips   than  from 
those  of  any  other  minister  living.     Though  he  sought 
not  the  highest  scat,  yet  the  respect  and  affection  of 
his  brethren,   generally  assigned  it  to  him ;    he  was 
almost  invariably  appointed  to  preach  when  he  would 
have  an  opportunity  of  addressing  the  largest  congre- 
gations.    At  such  times,  he  would  select  some  weighty 
doctiinal  theme,  or  perhaps  a  subject  that  would  lead 
him  to  discuss  the  merits  of  some  of  the  leading  be- 
nevolent operations  of  the  age  ;  and  cheered  by  the 
countenances  of  his  brethren,  and  roused  by  the  pre- 
sence of  a  vast  and  attentive  assemblage,  he  would 
bring  to  his  work  the  thoroughly  awakened  strength 
of  his  devout  affections,  and  his  original  and  power- 
ful mind,  and  pour  forth  his  instillations  with  such 
clearness  and  force  of  argument,  and  with  such  sweet 
and  tender  pathos,  as  seldom  failed  to  make  a  deep 
and  lasting  impression  upon  the  assembled  multitude. 
These  occasions  were  highly  valued  by  his  minister- 
ing brethren ;  and  those  preachers  must  have  made 
great  advancement  in  the  knowledge  of  divine  things, 


o4  MEMOIRS    OF 

who  were  not  the  wiser  at  the  conclusion  of  his  dis- 
courses. They  were  often  entertained  with  such  a 
lucid  illustration  of  deep  and  difficult  subjects,  such 
a  masterly  exposure  of  error,  such  a  satisfactory  so- 
lution of  perplexing  cases  of  conscience,  such  a  rich 
and  delightful  exposition  of  Christian  experience,  as 
could  hardly  fail  to  increase  their  store  of  scriptural 
knowledge,  give  a  fresh  impulse  to  their  investiga- 
tions, suggest  "new  and  profitable  trains  of  thought, 
and  thus  tend  greatly  to  benefit  them  in  their  subse- 
quent ministerial  labors.  Few  preachers  could  be 
named,  who,  in  this  way,  have  exerted  a  more  power- 
ful influence  upon  the  minds  of  other  ministers  ;  and 
it  is  through  this  channel  that  we  are  to  search  for 
much  of  the  lasting  and  greatly  extended  usefulness 
of  IMr.  Mercer. 

In  1317  he  attended  the  General  Convention  in 
Philadelphia,  travelling  through  the  Atlantic  states  in 
his  own  carriage,  and  preaching  very  frequently  both 
going  and  returning.  He  also  attended  the  meetings 
of  that  body  in  1820,  1826,  and  1835. 

By  the  appointment  of  the  General  Convention,  he 
and  Mr.  Sherwood,  in  1823,  visited  the  Valley  Towns 
Mission  Station  in  North  Carolina.  His  wife  accom- 
panied him,  as  she  did  on  many  of  his  journeys  ;  and 
their  carriage  passed  over  hills  and  mountains,  which 
had  never  before  witnessed  such  a  conveyance. 
Whilst  at  the  Valley  Towtis,  Mr.  Mercer  had  an  op- 
portunity of  preaching  to  the  Indians,  through  an  in- 
terpreter. 

In  making  an  estimate  of  the  ministerial  labors  of 
Mr.  Mercer,  we  must  not  omit  the  vast  amount  of  ser- 
vice which  he  rendered  at  ministers'  meetins:s,  at  the 
ordination  of  ministers,  the  constitution  of  churches. 


JESSE    MERCER.  85 

the  anniversaries  of  various  benevolent  societies,  and 
the  almost  numberless  protracted  and  general  meet- 
in  irs,  which  he  attended  durinof  his  lonf?  and  luminous 
career  of  more  than  half  a  century.  On  all  such  oc- 
casions, his  presence  and  aid  were  most  highly  valued, 
and  the  salutary  influence  of  his  prayers  and  instmc- 
tions  uniformly  felt. 

Auxiliary  to  these  labors,  he  was  in  the  habit,  for 
many  years,  of  keeping  on  hand  a  small  assortment  of 
useful  religious  works,  such  as  Fuller's,  Buck's,  Life 
of  Mrs.  Judson,  &c.,  which  he  carried  wdth  him  on  his 
numerous  preaching  tours,  and  sold  to  such  as  could 
be  induced  to  purchase.  In  this  way,  he  encouraged 
amongst  his  brethren  a  taste  for  useful  reading,  and 
brought  into  circulation  a  large  number  of  valuable 
publications. 

Finding  a  gi'eat  want  of  hymn  books  for  the  use  of 
the  rapidly  increasing  churches,  he  compiled  a  small 
work  called  the  *'  Cluster^  This  work  was  first  pub- 
lished, unbound,  in  Augusta  :  subsequently  two  more 
editions  were  published  in  the  same  place,  which  were 
bound ;  amounting  in  all  to  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred copies.  Whilst  attending  the  General  Conven- 
tion, in  1817,  in  Philadelphia,  he  published  a  revised 
edition  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  copies,  and  had 
the  copyright  secured.  Editions  were  also  published 
in  1820,  1826,  and  1835.  In  this  hymn  book  are  to 
be  found  many  valuable  hymns,  with  other  pieces  less 
interesting  :  with  some  imperfections,  it  has,  never- 
^  theless,  had  an  extensive  circulation  in  many  paits  of 
Georgia,  Alabama,  and  Mississippi,  and  has  comforted 
the  hearts  and  animated  the  devotions  of  thousands  of 
the  saints  of  God.  The  work  contains  several  hymns 
of  his  own  composition,  not,  however,  greatly  distin- 


86  MEMOIRS    OF 

guislied  for  their  poetical  excellence  ;  for  neither  na- 
ture nor  art  ever  bestowed  upon  Mr.  Mercer  the  at- 
tributes of  a  poet. 

The  following  is  inserted  as  a  favorable  specimew 
of  the  few  hymns  which  Mr.  Mercer  composed.  It 
appears  in  the  Cluster  as  the  second  part  of  the  235tb 
hymn  : 

"  Resolving  thus,  I  entered  irr, 

Though  trembling  and  depressed  p 
I  bowed  before  the  gracious  King, 
And  all  my  sins  confessed. 

"  Sweet  majesty  and  awful  grace. 
Sat  smiling  on  his  brow  ; 
He  turned  to  me  his  glorious  face,.. 
And  made  my  eyes  o'erflow.. 

**  He  held  the  sceptre  out  to  me". 
And  bade  me  touch  and  live ; 
I  touched,  and  (O,  what  mercy  free  !) 
He  did  my  sins  forgive. 

**  I  touched  and  lived,  and  learned  to  love. 
And  triumphed  in  my  God  ; 
I  set  my  heart  on  things  above, 
And  sang  redeeming  blood. 

"  Come,  sinners  grieved,  with  sins  distressed,, 
And  ready  to  despair, 
Take  courage,  though  with  guilt  oppresse(^. 
Jesus  still  answers  prayer.. 

"  Come  enter  in  with  cheerful  haste  ;, 
You  may  his  glory  see  • 
You  may  his  richest  mercy  taste—— 
He  has  forgiven  me." 


JESSE    MERCER.  87 

Some  extracts  from  Mr.  Mercer's  correspondence 
will  now  be  introduced.  They  ai'e  selected  from  the 
letters  which  bear  the  earliest  date  of  any  that  have 
fallen  into  the  biographer's  hands  ;  and  one  or  two  of 
these  will  form  a  very  natural  connexion  with  the 
foregoing  sketch  of  his  ministerial  labors,  as  they 
bring  to  view  his  sentiments  on  some  of  the  leading 
doctrines  of  the  gospel,  and  his  method  of  meeting 
the  inquiries  and  difficulties  of  individuals  in  a  state 
of  concern  about  their  salvation.  The  writer  would 
here  beg  leave  to  obsene,  once  for  all,  that  there  is 
but  little  in  the  letters  of  Mr.  Mercer  to  gratify  the 
wishes  of  the  critical  and  fastidious  :  they  are  gene- 
rally written  in  the  most  unaffected  style,  not  always 
with  perfect  grammatical  correctness  ;  in  the  main, 
presenting  a  just  and  fair  reflection  of  the  plain,  sim- 
ple, transparent  character  of  their  author.  INIost  of 
those,  which  will  appear  in  this  volume,  it  is  believed 
will  be  acceptable,  at  least  to  his  numerous  surviving 
friends  and  acquaintances ;  as  these  memoiials  will 
tend  to  revive,  in  a  pleasing  and  impressive  manner, 
their  recollections  of  one  whom  they  so  much  revered 
and  loved. 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  a  distant 
friend,  who,  in  a  state  of  religious  anxiety,  had  sought 
his  counsel : 

"  Grantsville,  Green  Co.,   Ga.,  May  17,  1815. 
*'  My  dear  Sir  : — 

"  According  to  agreement,  I  received  your  very 
interesting    introductory    communication,    when    at 
Washington  last,  and  have  duly  weighed  its  contents  ; 
and  now"  sit  down  to  make  an  effort  to  comj^ly  with  ^ 
my  promise.     May  the  Lord  bless  it  to  your  instruc- 


88  alEMOIRS  OF 

tion  and  comfort.  You  have  shown  that  you  have  al- 
ready an  improved  knowledge  in  the  things  which 
belong  to  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  a  fervid  desire 
for  the  righteousness  thereof.  But  still  you  desire 
me  to  direct  you  into  a  proper  understanding  of  the 
gospel.  In  order  to  a  proper  view  of  the  gospel  way 
of  salvation,  'tis  necessary  to  entertain  just  and  ade- 
quate notions  of  the  state  of  sinful  nature  from  which 
it  delivers,  and  which  makes  it  necessary.  In  sinning 
against  God,  we  have  violated  his  law  and  come  short 
of  his  glory,  Rom.  3  :  23 ; — are  obnoxious  to  divine 
wi^ath,  and  abhorrent  to  holiness,  Rom.  1  :  13,  and 
on ; — and  liable  to  everlasting  banishment  as  our  just 
desert,  2  Thes.  1  :  9.  Ps.  28  :  4.  Ezek.  7  :  27.  This 
sentence  of  severe  condemnation  must  be  acknow- 
ledged just,  not  only  as  it  is  legal,  but  as  it  is  an  effort 
of  divine  justice  to  vindicate  its  own  holiness  against 
the  total  want  of  it  in  us.  From  this  view  of  the  case, 
the  loss  of  the  sinner  seems  inevitable.  But  God, 
who  is  rich  in  mercy,  according  to  his  gi"eat  love  to- 
wards us,  when  we  were  dead  in  sin,  hath  abounded 
towards  us  in  all  wisdom,  and  pmdence,  according  to 
his  eternal  purpose  in  Christ,  through  whose  blood 
we  have  redemption — the  forgiveness  of  our  sins. 

"  Such  was  the  nature  of  our  offence,  that  it  re- 
quired an  infinite  satisfaction,  or  the  satisfaction  of  an 
infinite  Being ;  therefore,  it  became  him  who  should 
interpose,  to  be  allied  to  us,  and  yet  possess  infi- 
nite capacities.  God  hath  laid  help  on  one  that  is 
mighty  to  save,  in  sending  Christ  Jesus  into  the 
world  for  this  purpose  ;  he  being  verily  our  kinsman, 
yet  possessing  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily, 
was  able  to  render  the  violated  law  such  obedience 
and  sufferings  as  it  required,  and  to  give  them  such 


JESSK    MERCEE.  99 

vicarious  merit  as  should  be  satisfactory  to  injured, 
infinite  justice ;  and  so  to  bring  in  an  everlasting 
righteousness  for  the  justification  of  the  ungodly, 
which  a  just  and  holy  God  could  not  do  without 
such  a  righteousness,  to  render  him  justified  in  the 
act.  Compare  Dan.  9  :  24.  with  Rom.  1  :  17.  3 :  26. 
and  10  :  4.  God  accounting  us  in  Christ,  makes  him  to 
us  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification  and  redemp- 
tion. Wisdom,  whereby  we  know  our  danger  and 
remedy: — riglitcousness,  whereby  we  are  acquitted 
from  guilt  according  to  law  : — sanctification,  whereby 
we  are  renewed,  and  saved  from  the  damning  nature 
of  sin  ; — redemption,  whereby  our  sins  are  forgiven, 
and  we  receive  the  spirit  of  adoption  in  our  hearts, 
crying  Abha,  Father.  1  Cor.  1  :  30.  (Compare  Rom. 
Rom.  3  :  19,  20,  with  John  17  :  3.  Acts.  13  :  39.  Ezek. 
36  :  25,  20,.  1  Cor.  6  :  11.  Titus  3  :  5.  Eph.  1  :  7. 
Titus  2  :  14.)  All  this  Jesus  Christ  is  to  him  that  be- 
lieveth ;  not  to  him  that  has  any  kind  of  faith,  but  to 
him  whose  faith  is  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit — t/ie  gra- 
cious gift  of  God.     Gal.  5  :  22.  Eph.  2  :  8. 

"  You  desire  me  to  explain  to  you  your  difficult 
situation,  and  to  give  you  counsel  therein.  This  I 
will  endeavor  to  do.  You  seem  to  yourself  to  have 
the  requisite  faith  in  Christ,  and  to  be  humhle  and 
sincere  in  prayer,  and  yet  to  be  without  grace,  which 
staggers  you.  You  seem,  notwithstanding  your  faith 
and  other  virtuous  exercises,  to  be  barred  from  the 
mercy  by  the  justice  of  God,  which  has  excited  won- 
der. This  too  has  produced  the  embaiTassment  from 
the  doctrine  of  election,  of  which  you  speak.  Now, 
my  dear  sir,  all  this  arises  from  a  misapplication  of 
these  exercises  and  virtues.  'Tis  the  common  opinion 
of    mankind,   that   when   they   become  believers   in 


90  MEMoir*s  aF 

Christ,  and  make  an  humble,  penitent,  and  sincere 
appUcation  for  gi^ace,  it  icill  folloic.  But  it  never  was 
intended  of  God,  that  salvation  should  follow  these 
as  3  cause,  or  condition.  If  it  did  as  a  cause,  then 
these  \rould  supersede  the  necessity  of  the  merits  of 
Christ ;  if  as  a  condition,  then  salvation  would  be  un- 
certsdn,  if  not  impossible,  because  men  could  really 
perform  no  such  condition.  Besides,  such  a  plan 
woiald  make  the  sinner  a  partner  in  his  salvation,  and 
share  the  honor  of  it  with  God,  who  is  ever  jealous 
of  his  glory,  and  will  not  give  it  to  another. 

"  The-  light  of  God  has,  I  hope,  so  shone  into  your 
heart,  as  to  convince  you  that  these  are  insufficient, 
and  will  lead  you  to  know  that  they  are  not  the  rea- 
son, but  the  evidence  of  hope,  when  they  exist  in  their 
proper  degi'ee,  to  which  yours  have  not  yet  come, 
Yaur  faith,  ^  good^  as  it  is,  has  not  yet  appropriated 
the  Saviour  whom  it  has  apprehended,  and  therefore 
leaves  you  without  comfort.  The  light  of  nature,  or 
a  legal  spirit,  will  endeavor  to  set  you  down  securely 
on  your  present  faith  and  duties  ;  but  an  enliglitened 
conscience  will  never  be  satisfied  without  the  sprink- 
ling af  the  blood  of  Jesus,  who  only  can  take  aw^ay 
sins.  When  you  are  enabled  to  come  to  God  in  your 
true,  though  humbling  character  as  a  sinner,  publi- 
can-like, you  will  cease  to  inquire  *  whether  such 
prayers  as  yours  can  be  heard,'  or  whether  any  of 
your  exercises  may  be  acceptable ;  for  then  your 
eyes,  ymir  dying  eyes  will  be  turned  to  Christ,  from 
whose  expiatory  sacrifice  all  pleas  for  acceptance  will 
be  sought  and  foulld.  Then  election  will  open  to 
your  view  in  a  new  and  striking  light,  a  glorious  door 
of  hope.  You  will  have  been  brought  to  see  the  ut- 
ter inapplicability  of  the  conditional  plan  to  you,  who 


%. 


JESSE    MERCER.  91 


can  neither  fulfil  the  law  in  works  nor  faith,  and  of 
course  your  thoughts  on  such  a  plan,  can  only  go  out 
to  meet  despair.  But  in  God's  eternal  purpose  you 
will  see  the  means  as  well  as  the  ends  alike  finished. 
Here  God  designs  to  show  mercy  to  those  who  seem 
least  to  deserve  it ;  and  provides  salvation  for  those 
who  have  neither  money  nor  price  to  obtain  it.  Ps. 
68  :  IS.  Isa.  55  :  1.  Examine  the  beatitudes  in  Matt. 
5th  chaj)ter.  Notice  to  whom  the  promises  apply  the 
provisions  of  the  gospel.  The  dead,  side,  j)^^^'^  ^leavy- 
ladcn,  ungodly  J  and  lost.  To  one  brought  into  these 
characters  by  the  quickening  spirit,  the  sovereign  and 
free  grace  of  God  opens  the  only  sovereign  remedy, 
and  anchor  of  hope. 

"  My  coinisel  is  that  you  search  the  scriptures,  (John 
5  :  39.  2  Tim.  3  :  lo,  16.)  and  attend  on  the  word 
preached  in  order  to  obtain  a  spiritual  understanding. 
Here  you  will  have  pointed  out  to  you  your  true 
character,  danger  and  remedy,  with  all  their  attendant 
qualities  and  consequences. 

"  Be  instant  in  prayer.  Not  with  any  view  to  the 
virtue  of  the  exercise,  but  with  a  due  regard  to  the 
invaluable  worth  and  indispensable  demand  of  the 
blessing  God  may  be  pleased  to  afford  in  answer  to  it. 
The  nature  of  the  case  will  suggest  the  propriety  of 
self-denial,  or  the  forsaking  all  known  sins.  But  the 
alarmed  conscience,  newly  roused  from  its  security 
and  negflijrence,  cries  out  w/iat  shall  I  do  ?  The  in- 
struction  afforded  in  the  case  of  Saul  is  in  point,  Acts 
9:6;  compare  16  :  30,  31.  Instruction  is  necessary 
to  show  our  right  in  privileges  and  dutie#lest  we  of- 
fend in  the  deeds  we  design  should  please.  As  to 
your  baptism,  the  propriety  of  it  dependi  on  the  na- 


02  MEMOIRS    OF 

ture  and  degi*ee  of  your  faith ;  whenever  it  removes 
from  your  conscience  the  guilt  of  sin^  by  appropriat- 
ing the  merits  of  Christ,  by  which  the  justice  of  God 
ceases  to  bar  the  mercy  oif,  and  gives  you  an  evidence 
of  interest  in  divine  favor ;  then,  and  not  till  then,  it 
will  be  proper  for  you  to  give  the  outward  sign.  An 
examination  of  the  scriptures,  (a  list  of  which  you  re- 
quest me  to  give,)  on  this  subject  wdll  afford  direction 
in  the  pathway  of  duty,  and  enable  you  by  the  blessing 
of  God  to  act  with  propriety.  Matt.  3  chap.  Mark 
16  :  16.  Acts  8  :  12,  37.  Rom.  6  :  3,  4.  Col.  2  :  11, 
12.  Heb.  10  :  32,  is  thought  to  refer  to  baptism  ;  if  so, 
it  shows  the  proper  time  of  the  duty.  1  Pet.  3  :  21. 
with  many  other  texts  to  the  same  effect,  spread  over 
the  New  Testament. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  sir,  the  goodness  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus  is  your  only  sovereign  balm,  and  his 
spirit  is  the  physician.  And  blessed  be  his  adorable 
name  !  he  is  free,  infinitely  free  in  his  applications. 
I  hope  and  pray,  if  ere  this  reaches  you,  you  have 
not  obtained  a  sense  of  his  favor,  you  will  soon  be 
brought  into  the  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God,  when  the 
justice  of  God  will,  instead  of  barring  you  off,  lead 
you  to  the  love,  mercy,  and  goodness  of  God,  and  be 
the  principle  of  your  safety  and  confidence.  And  be- 
lieve me,  I  am,  as  I  have  been  and  ever  shall  be, 

"  Yours  in  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

"Jesse  Mercer." 

The  following  letter  without  date,  but  probably 
written  aboi^the  same  time  with  the  preceding,  was 
addressed  to  a  female  friend  who  was  somewhat  con- 
cerned upon  the  subject  of  religion. 


JESSE    MERCER.  93 

"  Dear  Madam — Some  time  since  the  few  times  I 
have  seen  you,  I  have  suggested  to  myself  that  there 
was  a  seriousness  on  your  countenance  indicative  of 
some  inward  anxiety,  and  it  was  most  easy  to  me  to 
suppose  it  to  be  about  the  state  of  your  soul,  and  the 
concerns  of  eternity.  I  thought  of  writing  to  you, 
but  this  seemed  rather  bold.  I  therefore  hesitated. 
I  inquired  of  your  friend  Mrs.  G.,  who  said  you  were 
solicitous  to  know  of  religion  and  its  attainment. 
On  stepping  in  the  other  day  on  the  very  friendly  in- 
vitation of  Mr.  S.,  and  finding  you  somewhat  indis- 
posed, and  of  a  solemn  though  inviting  countenance, 
I  determined,  and  have  set  down,  to  address  a  few 
thoughts  to  you  on  the  subject  of  tlie  religion  of 
Jesus. 

"  Now,  madam,  of  all  the  subjects  in  the  world,  this 
is  doubtless  the  most  important.  Be  it  false,  and  we 
are  without  hope.  J?e  it  true,  and  it  is  the  only  hope. 
It  is  serious  any  how.  This  subject,  as  it  is  revealed  in 
the  scriptures,  proceeds  on  the  consideration  of  man's 
being  totally  lost  and  ruined  in  sin,  i.  e.  that  he  is  by 
nature  under  the  law  and  curse  of  God,  and  so  under 
the  sentence  of  eternal  destruction  ;  which  is  the  case 
of  not  this  and  that  wicked  man  [only,]  but  even  of 
us  all  indiscriminately.  That  such  is  our  state  under 
the  moral  government  of  God,  universal  death  and 
the  terrors  we  feel  on  the  ajoproaches  of  eternity,  will 
fully  testify  ;  together  with  an  almost  endless  variety 
of  circumstances,  the  concomitants  of  living  in  this 
miserable  world  of  sin,  which  will  agi'ee  to  no  other 
state  of  thinsrs.  But  what  thai]  we  do  to  be  saved  ] 
is  the  question. 

"  Why,  madam,  indeed  if  it  were  not  for  the  gos- 


94  MEMOIRS  OF 

pel  of  Jesus  Christ,  we  should  be  at  so  profound  a 
loss,  as  for  ever  to  be  unable  to  answer  this  question 
in  any  way  satisfactory  to  a  troubled  mind,  which,  en- 
veloped in  thick  darkness,  must  have  yielded  to  des- 
peration under  its  guilt,  without  a  gleam  of  hope. 
But  in  the  gospel,  life  and  immortality  break  forth,  as 
from  the  blackest  night,  in  all  the  effulgence  of  noon- 
day glory.     Here  we  see  the  Son  of  God  clothed  in 
our  nature,   the  nature   that  sinned,  for  the  express 
purpose  of  doing  what  we  ought  to  have  done,  and 
what  was  indispensably  necessary  to  be  done  in  order 
to  salvation.     And  now,  through  him  is  preached  to 
us  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  by  him,  all  that  helieve, 
are  justified  from  all  things  which  they  could  not  by 
the  law,  which  by  sin  bad  become  the  administration 
of  death  only.     To  believe  this  to  the  saving  of  the 
soul,  is  the  fruit  of  the  spirit  of  grace,  bringing  us  to 
know  God  in  his  glorious  justice  ;  and  Christ  in  his 
satisfaction  (aiising  from  the  works  of  his  life,  and  the 
sufferings  of  his  death)  so  as  to  deliver  the  burdened 
conscience  from  guilt  and  teiTor,  restoring  to  us  an 
inward   peace   with    God,    through   our   Lord  Jesus 
Christ ;   and  giving  a  comfortable  hope  of  acceptance 
into  glory.     This  will  at  first  excite  deep,  inward,  and 
heart-breaking  views  of  our  sinfulness,  in  relation  to 
God,  and  unworthiness  of  his  mercy ;  and  bring  us  to 
acknowledge  the  justness  of  the  divine  conduct  to- 
wards us  in  condemnation.     It  will  next  lead  to  de- 
sires  or  hungerings   and  thirstings   for  salvation,  in 
some  way  which  may  be  consistent  with  the  law  and 
justice  of  God.     When  it  is  made  known  that  this  is 
all  done  in  Christ,  the  soul  then  looks  to  him  as  the 
only  true  way  to  eternal  life,  with  ardent  desire,  and 


JESSE    MERCER.  96 

CorrstaiTt  prayer  to  God  for  an  interest  in  him,  till  it 
pleases  God  to  affV)rd  the  poor  soul  the  power  of  be- 
lieving, or  trusting  in,  and  receiving  from  Christ,  a 
full  discharge  from  his  guilt  and  fears.  Then  he  re- 
joices as  a  redeemed  prisoner,  loves  God  as  his  hea- 
venly Father,  blesses  Christ  as  his  Redeemer,  friend, 
and  brother,  has  a  strong  affection  for  the  saints,  or 
such  as  appear  to  be  real  Christians,  and  is  desirous 
above  all  things,  to  live  in  the  favor,  and  according  to 
the  pleasure  of  God,  till  death ;  and  then  hopes  to  be 
happy  with  him  to  all  eternity. 

"  How  far,  dear  madam,  you  have  realized  these 
things,  is  a  tender  point  between  God  and  your  own 
soul.  Believe  me,  your  soul  is  the  most  precious 
jewel  you  have  in  all  your  store,  and  its  salvation  the 
most  im23ortant  of  all  your  concernments.  I  think  . 
you  have  [made],  do,  and  will  make,  these  topics  your 
study  and  prayer,  and  will  never  give  over  till  God 
give,  by  his  Spirit,  an  inward  evidence  of  your  for- 
giveness, and  acceptance  through  Jesus  Christ.  And 
I  do,  and  if  God  will  give  the  Spirit,  will  pray  that 
you  may,  with  your  dear  Mr.  S.,  be  successful,  and 
obtain  that  salvation,  which  is  made  and  provided  of 
God  in  Christ  for  sinners  lost  and  undone.  Then 
you  will  be  blessed  here,  and  happy  yonder  for  ever. 

"  Pardon,  dear  madam,  the  liberty  I  take  in  ad- 
dressing this  to  you,  and  believe  me,  I  am  most  cor- 
dially 

"  Yours,  in  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

**  Jesse  Mercer." 


^6  MEMOIllS    OP 


TO    MRS.    T.,    OF    VIRGINIA. 

"  Powelton,  July  6,  1819. 
**  My  Dear  Sister: — 

**  I  little  thought,  when  1  left  you  and  dear  Mr.  T. 
in  the  road,  that  it  would  be  almost  two  years  before 
I  should  write  to  so  interesting  and  distant  friends  ; 
but  so  it  is.  I  have  thought  from  time  to  time  I 
would  set  about  it,  and  give  a  long  letter  to  my  be- 
loved sister  in  the  Lord ;  but  still  have  delayed, 
partly  for  want  of  heart-cheering  matter,  and  partly 
for  want  of  time  and  resolution  to  begin  a  letter. 

"  Well,  now  I  have  begun  ;  but  O  what  a  heart  of 
barrenness  I  have  !  What  shall  I  tell,  what  shall  I 
write,  to  afford  my  sister  any  comfort,  or  to  animate 
her  afflicted  and  distressed  soul  ]  Why,  let  me  lead 
her  views  to  the  Rock  that  is  higher  than  she — the 
Rock  of  ages — the  precious,  tried,  and  of  course,  sure 
foundation  for  a  sinking  sinner — the  only  shelter  for 
one  exposed  to  the  flood  of  divine  vengeance.  But 
in  this  cleft  the  sinner,  the  chief  of  sinners,  may  be 
safe  and  happy ;  yea,  when  *  deluges  of  fiej-y  wTath 
shall  drown  the  world,  he  may,  with  a  serene  soul 
and  dauntless  courage,  stand  and  see  the  last  catas- 
trophe of  the  wicked.  'Tis  a  consolation  to  contem- 
plate, when  all  outward  good  is  perishing  under  the 
common  pressure,  when  flesh  and  heart  are  failing, 
and  even  time  and  nature  dying,  that  there  is  an  un- 
decaying  substance,  an  unfailing  fulness,  and  a  trea- 
sure that  fadeth  not  av^ay,  reserved  in  heaven  for 
those  who  love,  and  look  for,  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  I  hope  my  sister  is  training  up  for 
glory  by  the  successive  afflictions  she  wades  through. 


J£SS£    MERCER.  97 

♦  For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  the  present  time 
are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which 
shall  be  revealed  in  us.'  Glory  therefore  in  tribula- 
tions also. 

"  Religion  is  in  a  low  degree  with  us,  but  I  trust 
there  are  a  few  names  even  amongst  us,  who  shall  be 
counted  worthy  to  walk  with  the  dear  Emmanuel  in 
ichite,     I  would  indulge  the  hope  of  better  times  with 

you. 

******** 

"  Give  wife's  sweetest  affections  with  mine  to  Mr. 
T.,  and  other  friends  with  whom  we  formed  any  ac- 
quaintance in  Orange.  And  be  assured  of  our  most 
affectionate  and  pious  wishes  for  yourself." 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  letter  to  Rev.  B. 
Manly,  a  short  portion  of  which,  on  ministerial  sup- 
port, appears  on  a  preceding  page  : 

"  Powellon,  Nov.  13,  1825. 
♦'  My  vert  Dear  Brother  : 

"  I  was  quite  pleased  with  the  obtrusion  of  your 

*  poor  thoughts'  on  me,  which  I  found  waiting  for  me 
in  the  office  on  my  return  home  last.  The  time  anti- 
cipated between  us,  when  last  together,  of  passing 
through  Edgefield,  was  rather,  I  think,  on  my  way  up 
to  the  Saluda  Association,  than  to  the  Convention  : 
however,  this  was  mostly  on  my  mind,  and  I  held  it  in 
contemplation  till  I  was  taken  ill  on  a  journey  below 
Augusta,  in  June,  when  I  despaired  of  my  anticipated 
pleasure,  and,  as  soon  as  I  conveniently  could,  went 
up  into  Pendleton,  where  I  might  invigorate  my 
health,  and  be  ready  to  meet  the  Saluda  Association. 
But  in  this  I  was  disappointed  also.     Since  that,  ray 


98  MEMOIRS    OP 

health  has  been  quite  uneven,  and  lately,  worse.  T 
am  at  this  moment  the  captive  of  affliction.  At  the 
Sarepta  Association,  I  became  feverish,  and  ever  since 
I  have  been  the  subject  of  increasing  fever  till  I  came 
to  this  place,  Friday  v^as  a  w^eek  ago.  On  Saturday, 
at  our  monthly  meeting,  I  could  scarcely  preach  ;  on 
Sabbath,  I  only  served  at  the  table.  Monday,  took 
an  emetic,  and  have  been,  till  now,  in  a  state  of  j^oor 
convalescence,  unable  to  get  on  the  way  of  my  ap- 
pointments ;  and  am  therefore  the  Sabbath  at  home, 
not^  I  trust,  committing  tJie  sin  which  is  unto  death,  in 
answering  my  dear  brother's  kind  and  much  esteemed 
letter ;  the  writing  of  which,  I  am  satisfied,  was  so  far 
from  being  '  the  sin  unto  death,'  that  it  was  no  sin  at 
all.  Through  the  continuance  of  disease,  and  the  fre- 
quent returns  of  fever,  I  am  admonished  of  being 
*  near  the  margin,  and  just  ready  to  psiss  the  flood.' 

"  As  to  the  opinion  you  have  formed  of  my  talents, 
I  thank  you  for  it ;  but  I  assure  you,  it  is  to  me,  what 
you  so  much  regret  as  *  a  discouraging  and  very  dis- 
astrous fact,'  and  therefore  must  be  excused  in  yield- 
ing a  very  sparing  promise  to  your  *  strong  solicitude 
and  desire.'  I  have,  however,  come  to  the  detemii- 
nation,  should  God  lengthen  the  days  of  the  years  of 
my  pilgrimage,  to  becoine  stationary,  and  to  devote 
my  time  to  reading  and  study,  perhaps  some  to  writ- 
ing. But  my  talent  for  composition  is  so  poor,  that 
I  have  all  along  been  kept  back,  and  have  done  very 
little  in  that  way.  On  some  of  the  points  you  men- 
tion, I  ha^e  had  a  desire  to  write  at  times ;  but  seeing 
the  many  volumes  written  on  all,  I  have  held  a  strong 
rein  on  it. 

"  Your  Convention  may  rely  on  a  little   aid  from 


JESSE    MERCER.  99 

Georgia ;  and  I  fear  it  will  be  but  little.  The  death 
of  Mr.  Gillison  and  Dr.  Fumian,  I  fear  will  have  a 
very  appalling  effect  on  the  designs  of  that  body. 
But  if  you  can  feel  truly  that  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is 
with  you,  you  may  go  forward,  for  you  will  be  *  well 
able.'  I  should  be  happy,  could  I  say  in  truth  some 
fine  things  about  religion  among  us ;  but  I  have  no 
such  news  to  send  you.  Some  of  my  brethren  in 
the  new  counties  are  baptizing  goodly  numbers,  as  I 
hear.  I  hope  the  Lord  is  affording  you  some  joyful 
harvests  in  your  fields  of  labor.  Wife  sends  her 
christian  affection  to  you  and  lady,  which,  with  my 
own,  you  will  receive  in  the  same  spirit,  and  pass 
mine  over  to  your  second  self,  and  any  of  the  dear 
brethren  about  Edgefield. — I  have  tired  myself  seve- 
ral times  writing  this  letter ;  I  hope  you  will  not  faint 
in  reading.  Pray  for  a  poor,  old,  and  declining  man. 
Farewell." 

It  will  be  seen  from  what  has  passed  under  the 
reader's  notice,  with  what  care  and  conscientiousness 
Mr.  Mercer  ever  kept  in  mind  the  duties  of  his  voca- 
tion, and  brought  all  his  plans  into  proper  subordina- 
j  tion  to  what  he  considered  the  great  business  of  his 
'  life.     It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  occasionally, 
some  of  our  venerable  fathers  in  the   gospel  would 
become  entangled  in  political  affairs,   and  thus   sus- 
tained much  loss  in  their  religious  zeal  and  ministe- 
'  ;  rial   influence.     Fortunately,   through    his    long    life, 
Mr.   Mercer   generally  kept  himself  aloof  from  the 
I  strifes  of  party  politics ;  though  he  did  not  consider 
himself  excluded  by  the  obligations  of  his  sacred  of- 

Iiice,  from  the  right   of  forming  his   own   opinions  of 
men  and  measures,  and  of  expressing  these  opinions 
\    cm  proper  occasions. 


lOD  MEMOIRS    OF 

In  1798,  he  was  a  member  of  the  convention  whicn 
was  appointed  to  amend  the  state  constitution.  His 
attendance  in  that  body  could  not  be  condemned,  as 
important,  fundamental  princij)les  of  government 
were  to  be  settled,  which  would  not  only  deeply  af- 
fect the  civil  and  political  interests  of  the  common- 
wealth, but  might  have  a  direct  bearing  on  ecclesias- 
tical affairs.  The  best  talent  and  influence  of  the 
state  were  needed  to  give  a  wise  and  happy  direction 
to  the  deliberations  of  that  important  body.  It  was 
moved,  during  the  session  of  the  convention,  by  one 
of  the  members  who,  it  seems  was  a  lawyer,  that 
ministers  be  ineligible  to  the  office  of  legislator,  and 
the  motion  was  warmly  urged  by  both  laicyers  and 
doctors.  Mr.  Mercer  moved  so  to  amend  the  resolu- 
tion, as  that  laivyers  and  doctors  should  be  included. 
During  an  adjournment  which  ensued  before  the  matter 
was  adjusted,  Mr.  Mercer  was  visited  by  some  of  the 
members  of  the  body,  and  urged  to  drop  his  amend- 
ment, as  the  projectors  of  the  original  motion  had 
agreed  to  yield  their  ground.     To  this  he  assented. 

About  1816,  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  office  of 
senator  in  the  state  legislature,  but  veiy  fortunately 
it  may  be  concluded,  he  was  unsuccessful.  For  this 
■  defeat  he  seemed  ever  afterwards  grateful.  **  This 
defeat,  or  something  else,"  remarks  Mr.  Sherwood, 
*'  convinced  him  that  but  few  occasions  should  call 
down  ministers  from  their  elevated  office  to  engage  in 
legislation.  He  did  not  wish  to  see  them  deprived 
by  enactments,  of  their  rights ;  yet  thought  only  the 
most  important  crises  should  induce  them  to  serve 
their  country  as  political  men.  For  a  number  of 
years  he  obsen^ed  he  had  taken  no  part  even  in  exer- 
cising the  right  of  suffi'age,  for  he  said  all  j^arties  had 


JESSE    MERCER.  101 

aberrated  so  far  from  the  constitution,  that  he  could 
not  conscientiously  vote  for  the  candidates." 

"A  report  went  abroad  in  1819,  that  he  had  drunk 
for  a  toast  the  9th  verse  of  the  109th  Psalm,  *  Let  his 
days  be  few ;  and  let  another  take  his  office,'  and  ap- 
plied it  to  the  governor.  This  gained  credence,  and 
actually  soured  the  minds  of  many  of  his  brethren  ; 
*  *  *  but  he  said  he  had  never  drunk  a  toast 
on  any  occasion^ 

It  was,  perhaps,  in  1833  that  some  of  his  friends 
entertained  a  serious  intention  of  bringing  him  before 
the  people  as  a  candidate  for  goveraor;  he  was  con- 
sulted on  the  subject,  but  would  not  listen  to  any 
such  proposal.  Some  time  subsequent  to  this,  he 
Wcis  named  in  some  of  the  public  prints  as  a  suitable 
person  to  be  chosen  as  one  of  the  presidential  elec- 
tors ;  he  refused,  however,  to  accept  of  the  nomina- 
tion, and  his  name  was  withdrawn. 

In  1&S3,  a  convention  which  had  been  previously 
summoned  by  the  legislature,  agi'eed  upon  certain 
amendments  to  the  state  constitution,  and  submitted 
the  same  to  the  people  for  their  approval  or  rejection. 
Mr.  Mercer  regarded  the  occasion  as  one  of  peculiar 
importance,  and  in  the  exercise  of  what  he  regarded 
a  sacred  right,  he  published  his  reasons  condemnatory 
.of  the  proposed  amendments.  For  this  he  was  cen- 
sured with  some  degree  of  severity.  This  reproach 
he  met  with  the  following  reply :  *'  In  reference  to 
the  constitutional  question  which  was  proposed  to  the 
people,  (and  to  us  as  well  as  others,)  for  their  appro- 
val or  otherwise,  we  did  assign  our  reasons  for  not 
ratifying  the  proposed  amendments  of  the  constitu- 
tion, and  permitted  them  to  be  circulated;  and  for 
this  we  have  been  held  up  to  public  contempt.  As  it 
reojards  our  single  gelf,  we  care  little  for  it;  but  as  an 


102  MEMOIRS    OF 

effort  to  control  the  elective  franchise,  or  to  disturb 
the  freedom  of  speech,  we  denounce  it  as  highly  un- 
republican  and  prescriptive.  We  do  not  at  all  ap- 
prove of  ministers  of  the  gospel  tampering  with  the 
every-day  politics  of  the  country ;  yet  on  constitu- 
tional questions,  we  regard  it  not  only  their  right, 
but  their  indispensable  duty,  as  public  sentinels,  to  be 
on  their  watchtower,  and  guard  every  article,  section, 
and  sentence  of  that  great  and  only  palladium  of  our 
civil  and  religious  privileges." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Death  of  Mrs.  Mercer. — Mr.  Mercer  removes  to  Washington. — A 
church  constituted  there. — His  second  marriage. — Editorial  la- 
bors.— The  degree  of  D-  D.  conferred  on  him. — Letters  to  vari- 
ous individuals. 

Mr.  Mercer  delayed  his  return  from  the  General 
Convention  in  1826,  till  the  month  of  Sej^tember.  As 
he  was  passing  through  the  upper  part  of  South  Caro- 
lina, his  estimable  and  devoted  wife  was  brought  low 
by  disease,  and  on  the  23d  of  the  above  named  month, 
was  called  home  to  her  heavenly  rest,  at  Anderson- 
ville,  Pendleton  district,  in  the  fifty-fifth  year  of  her 
age.*    For  nearly  forty  years,  she  had  been  the  sharer 

*  By  his  first  wife,  Mr.  Mercer  had  two  children.  They  were 
both  daughters,  and  were  both  called  Miriam.  The  first  died  in 
King  and  Queen  county,  Virginia,  Sept.  21st,  1799,  aged  nine 
months  and  twenty-one  days.  The  other  died  in  Green  county, 
Georgia,  December  15ih,  1814,  aged  nine  years  and  eight  months. 
"  I  was  present,"  says  his  uncle,  *'  several  times  during  the  illness 
of  the  second,  and  was  also  at  the  buiial.  He  evidently  felt  deeply, 
but  did  not  shed  a  tear." 


JESSE    MERCER.  103 

of  his  joys  and  sorrows  ;  and  the  stroke  that  termi- 
nated their  long  and  happy  union,  was  to  the  survi- 
vor, a  most  heavy  affliction.  But  those  abundant  con- 
solations and  supports,  to  which  he,  as  an  affectionate 
and  faithful  minister,  had  so  often  pointed  the  sor- 
rowful and  bereaved,  were  present  for  his  own  relief 
in  this  the  hour  of  his  calamity — he  calmly  yielded, 
for  the  L  ord,  his  best  Friend,  had'  done  it. 

Subjoined  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  to  Dr.  Lucius 
Bolles,  of  Salem,  Mass.,  dated  Powelton,  October  4th, 
1826,  in  which  there  is  an  affecting  allusion  to  the 
death  of  his  wife,  and  other  afflictions. 

"  I  must  close  by  informing  you  of  the  melancholy 
manner  in  which  I  returned  home.  I  seemed  to  my- 
self like  a  vessel  which  had  been  a  long  voyage,  had 
met  with  rude  winds  and  waves,  but  had  rode  them 
all  till  just  coming  into  port,  [when]  a  storm  rose  and 
carried  her  mainmast,  ribboned  her  rigging,  and 
caused  her  ^;jrcc20W5  lading  to  be  cast  forth  into  the 
sea,  and  she  comes  to  her  moorings  only  with  a  shat- 
tered hull.  Yes,  brother,  the  influenza  hunsf  to  me 
and  rent  me  sore  in  the  spring,  and  other  things  of  a 
minor  consideration  made  my  journey  unpleasant. 
But  when  I  had  gained  the  sight  once  more  of  the 
shore  of  Georgia,  on  the  banks  of  the  Tugulo  river, 
the  bilious  fever  set  hard  on  Mrs.  Mercer,  and  on  the 
eighth  day,  say  23d  of  September,  she  fell  in  death. 
But  joyful  in  hope,  she  never  yielded  to  fear.  I  was 
taken  on  the  day  of  her  interment,  and  have  returned 
home,  contending  with  the  fever ;  but  I  have  gotten 
the  victory.  I  am  able  to  sit  up  and  write  through 
mercy.  Sickness  prevails  to  an  alarming  degree,  even 
in  the  more  healthy  parts.  I  hope  the  Lord  will  be 
with  you  and  bless  you.  Love  to  Sister  B.  and  the 
brethren.     Farewell  in  the  Lord." 


104  MEMOIRS    OP 

In  the  foUo-vrag  letter  to  a  Christian  sister,  there  is 
also  some  reference  to  the  death  of  Mrs.  Mercer : 

"  Sister  L 's,  Jan.  14,  1827. 

*'  My  vert  dear  Sister  in  the  Lord  : — 

"With  much  pleasure  I  received  yours  yester- 
day, by  Brother  Green.  My  feelings  were  grieved  at 
our  last  meeting,  because  it  was  so  slight.  I  was  busy 
when  you  came  up,  and  while  I  was  talking  to  several 
about  me,  lo,  you  were  gone  !  I  looked  for  you,  hut 
found,  you  not.  I  know  not  when  I  shall  see  you.  I, 
with  you,  would  mourn  over  the  sad  state  of  Zion.  I 
think  really  we  are  generally  in  a  sad  state  of  decline. 
How  all  is  precisely  at  Countyline,  I  know  not,  but 
fear  all  has  not  been  right  at  any  time  since  the  times 
of  trouble  on  account  of  Thomy.*  TiTily  we  may 
adopt  the  petition  of  the  Syrophenician  woman,  for 
all  our  help  is  in  the  Lord — in  the  Lord  alone.  When 
I  can  come  to  Countyline  I  know  not ;  and  fear  now 
to  come,  for  I  am  of  the  impression,  from  what  took 
place  at  Phillips',  sundry  would  not  be  pleased  in  my 
company.  This  I  say  in  confidence.  But  this  may  be 
a  false  impression.  I  fear  the  brethren  are  not  of  a 
good  spirit;  but  the  Lord  can  remove  all  evils,  both 
outward  and  inward.  Let  us  seek  unto  the  Lord,  and 
unto  the  Lord  commit  our  cause. 

"  I  am  now  poor  and  needy,  the  Lord  having  deso- 
lated me  in  a  melancholy  widowhood.  I  hope  to 
share  in  the  prayers  of  my  brethren,  that  I  may  live 
the  remnant  of  my  days  in  a  manner  suited  to  pro- 
mote the  good  of  our  Jerusalem,  and  His  glory  whom 
1  hope  I  serve,  and  whose  I  trust  I  am.  I  would  be 
glad  to  write  you  a  full  history  of  my  dear  departed 

*  Thomas  Rhodes. 


JESSK    MERCER.  105 

wife's  last  exercises.     Truly  the  Lord  had  mercy  on 
her,  and  not  on  her  only,  but  on  me  also.     I  have 
great  reason  to  be  thankful  that  she  was  enabled  to 
triumph  over  death  with  all  his  terrors.     She  sunk  in 
calm  repose  without  a  struggle  or  a  groan.     Truly, 
she  never  yielded  to  fear.     She  was  very  much  lacked 
with  pain  in  her  affliction,   and  T  feared  she  would 
have  a  hard  struggle  in  death ;  but  she  had  a  soothed 
passagCy    and   left   a   smoothed   countenance,    rather 
lovely  in  death  than   otherwi.se.     She  wished   to  be 
remembered  to  all  her  friends  in  Georgia,  and  though 
she  was  cut  off"  from  the  expected  pleasure  of  seeing 
them  in  this  life,  she  [said  that  she]  would  soon  meet 
them  in  a  better  world,  where  she  would  more  enjoy 
tliem  than  she  could  here.     She  had  the  songs  sung, 
"Jerusalem,    my  happy  home,"  and  "How  happy's 
every  child  of  grace ;"  and  wished,  when  she  knew 
herself  dying,  "  The  Consolation  in  Affliction"   to  be 
sung,  but  no  one  could  sing  it  to  her.     I  read  it  to 
her ;  she  seemed  to  make  it  all  her  own.     It  is,  "  In 
the  floods  of  Tribulation."     You  may  see  all  these  in 
the  Cluster,  and  read  them,  and  remember  her  that 
was  dear  unto  you,   and  by  whom  your  affection  was 
reciprocated.     Remember  me  to  Mr.  C.     I  long  for 
his  salvation.     If  any  brethren  in  Countyline  would 
be  glad  to  hear  from  me,  in  your  opinion,  mention  to 
them  my  poor  name,  and  request  their  prayers  to  God 
for  me.     Let  me  ever  share  in  your  efflisions  before 
the  throne  in  secret." 

From  a  remark  in  his  letter  to  Mr.  Manly,  which 
the  reader  has  ahcady  noticed  in  the  preceding  chap- 
ter, it  would  seem  that  Mr.  Mercer  was  beginning  to 
,  reflect  seriously  upon  the  propriety  of  confining  his 
laboi*s  to  a  more  circumscribed  sphere.     Being  now 

6 


106  MEMOIRS    OF 

about  fifty-seven  years  old,  it  was  to  be  expected  tbat 
he  would  begin  to  feel  the  approaching  infirmities  of 
age,  especially  as  his  natural  force  had  much  abated 
under  the  influence  of  disease.  The  arduous  labors 
which  he  had  so  long  encountered,  and  most  of  the 
time  without  injury,  were  now  too  much  for  his  de- 
clining strength ;  and  he  found  an  additional  motive 
for  giving  up  his  itinerant  mode  of  living,  in  the  de- 
sire he  had  to  increase,  by  reading  and  study,  his  store 
of  scriptural  knowledge. 

It  was  at  the  close  of  1826,  or  very  early  in  1827, 
that  Mr.  Mercer  took  up  his  residence  in  Washington, 
Wilkes  county.  The  circumstances  under  which  he 
determined  to  settle  at  this  place,  were  such  as  af- 
forded a  veiy  striking  illustration  of  his  disinterested- 
ness, and  his  conscientious  adherence  to  his  convic- 
tions of  duty.  When  his  pui*pose  was  fully  matured 
to  give  up  most  of  his  churches,  and  provide  for  him- 
self a  more  settled  residence,  the  Powelton  brethren, 
to  whom  he  was  most  ardently  attached,  and  by  whom 
his  affection  was  fully  reciprocated,  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  wait  on  him  for  the  purpose,  if  possible,  to 
secure  his  permanent  settlement  with  them.  They 
were  fully  authorized  to  say  to  him,  that  if  he  would 
yield  to  their  wishes  in  this  respect,  his  temporal  sup- 
port should  be  provided  for.  It  would  seem  that 
comfort,  interest,  and  his  strong  personal  attachments, 
would  have  dictated  a  ready  compliance.  In  Wash- 
ington, there  was,  as  yet,  no  Baptist  Church  in  exist- 
ence ;  his  ministerial  services  had  been  less  appre- 
ciated in  that  community  than  in  any  place  where  he 
had  ever  labored,  and  no  inducement  was  offered  in 
relation  to  pecuniary  support.  And  yet  the  impres- 
sion was  deeply  riveted  on  his  mind,  that  there  the 


JESSE    MERCER,  107 

Lord  would  have  liiin  take  up  his  abode.     The  ques- 
tion  of  duty  being  settled  in  his  mind,  nothing  re- 
mained, for  him  but  a  ready  and.  cheerful  compliance. 
For  nearly  forty  years  previous  to  Mr.  Mercer's 
settlement  in  Washington,  he  had  been  in  the  habit 
of  preaching  in  that  place,  generally  on  week  days, 
about   once   a  month.     The  house  usually  occupied 
for  divine  service,  was  an  old  brick  academy,  which 
stood  near  the  dwelling-  where  Mr.  Mercer  resided 
after  his  second  marriage.     There  were  a  few  scat- 
tering Baptists  in  the  village  and  the  immediate  vi- 
cinity., yet  not  enough  to  justify  the  organization  of  a 
<!hurch  until  1827.     In  March  of  this  year,  a  branch 
of  the  Phillips'  Mill  Church  was  established  at  Wash- 
ington ;   a  commodious  house  of  worship  was  so  far 
completed  by  April,  as  to  accommodate  the  meeting 
of  the  Baptist  State  Convention ;  and  on  the  29th  of 
December  following,  a  church  was  constituted,  con- 
sisting of  ten  members.     Ja^xies  Annstrong,   B.  M. 
Sanders,  J.  L.  Brooks,  (with  some  other  ministers,) 
were  the  officiating  Presbytery.     On  the  20th  of  Jan- 
•uary,  1828,  Mr.  Mercer  was  called  to  the   pastoi^l 
charge  of  this  infant  church.     This  call  was  accepted^ 
and  he  continued  its  faithful  and  much  beloved  pastor 
until  death. 

Under  the  rainistry  of  Mr.  Mercer,  this  church 
gradually  increased  in  numbere,  zeal  and  efficiency. 
In  1832,  it  numbered  forty-nine  members^  in  1835, 
sixty-three ;  in  1840,  the  year  previous  to  Mr,  Mer- 
cer's death,  eighty-seven.  In  active  benevolence,  this 
little  band,  during  the  lifetime  of  Mr.  Mercer,  pre- 
■sented  an  example  which  has  seldom  been  surpassed 
by  any  church  in  the  denomination.  In  1835,  the 
church,  (assisted  by  some  of  the  liberal  members  of 


108  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  congregatlan,)  sent  up  to  the  Georgia  Association^ 
for  various  benevolent  purposes,  the  sum  of  six  hun- 
dred AoWdiXS ;  and  for  five  successive  years,  their  an- 
nual contributions  were  of  the  most  liberal  character. 
It  must  be  remembered,  that  these  amounts  were 
principally  gathered  from  a  sn^all  number  of  con- 
tributors. A  portion  of  the  church  were  colored 
members,  who  had  but  little,  if  any  thing,  to  give  ; 
and  of  the  white  members,  there  were  not  many 
whose  circumstances  would  justify  very  ample  dona- 
tions. 

Mr.  INIercei-'s  general  method  at  Washington  for 
raising  money  was  this  :  he  prepared  a  subscription 
paper  and  put  it  in  his  pocket.  As  he  passed  about 
amongst  the  members  of  his  church  and  congi-egation, 
he  presented  it  personally  to  such  as  he  judged  pro- 
j>ei-  persons  to  be  applied  to,  allowing  each  one  that 
subscribed  to  diesigi:jate  the  particular  benevolent  ol> 
ject  to  which  he  wished  his  money  to  be  appropriated. 
At  a  suitable  tim^e  the  -individuals  were  again  called 
on  for  the  payment  of  the  amounts  thus  pledged. 
Some  such  plan  as  this,  Mr.  Mercer  greatly  prefen'ed 
to  the  precarious  method,  mainly  relied  on  by  many 
of  the  churches,  of  having  an  occasional  missionary 
discourse,  and  then  two  or  three  old  hats  passed  rap- 
idly through  the  congregation  to  receive  the  little, 
scanty  change,  which  might  happen  accidentally  to  be 
in  their  pockets.  Many  persons,  that  might  satisfy 
their  consciences  by  throv^dng  twenty-five,  or  fifty 
cents,  into  the  deacon's  hat,  when  personally  ap- 
proached with  a  subscription  paper,  would  put  dowm 
from  five  to  twenty  dollars. 

On  the  llth  of  December,  1827,  Mr.  Mercer  was 
united  in  mari'iage  to  Mrs.  Nancy  Simons,  widow  of 


JESSE    MEKCCR.  109 

Captain  A.  Simons,  deceased,  and  then  i>esiding  in 
Washington.  His  last  marriage  brought  a  considera- 
ble increase  to  his  worldly  possessions,  and  that  he 
might  not  be  needlessly  encumbered  by  secular  cares, 
most  of  this  property  was  sold,  and  the  proceeds 
thrown  into  such  investments,  as  wo^ild  yield  him  a 
reasonable  income,  with  the  least  possible  inconve- 
nience and  anxiety  to  himself. 

Mr.  Mercer  considered  himself  truly  fortunate  in 
his  last  maniage.  His  second  companion  was  no  less 
devoted  to  his  wishes  and  happiness  than  the  first; 
possessing  a  spirit  of  unbounded  liberality,  she  enter- 
ed heartily  into  all  his  benevolent  plans  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  was 
entirely  willing  that  the  avails  of  her  large  estate 
should  be  consecrated  to  pious  purposes.  How  plea- 
sant are  such  instances  of  conjugal  unanimity  in  the 
blessed  work  of  doing  good.  A  more  extended  notice 
of  Mrs.  Mercer  will  be  found  in  a  subsequent  part  of 
this  volume. 

After  Mr.  Mercer's  removal  to  Washington,  he 
found  himself  placed  in  circumstances,  in  many  re- 
spects, suited  to  his  declining  years  ;  yet  he  did  not 
feel  at  liberty  to  sit  down  in  slothful  inactivity,  and 
be  satisfied  with  any  effort  in  behalf  of  the  cause  of 
Christ,  less  than  what  his  health  and  strength  would 
justify.  Besides  supplying  the  church  at  Phillips' 
Mill  once  a  month,  and  the  one  at  Washington  the 
rest  of  the  time,  he  continued  to  attend  the  anniver- 
saries of  the  most  important  bodies  of  the  denomina- 
tion, and  many  occasional  religious  meetings  in  va- 
rious regions ;  preaching  as  he  had  been  wont  to  do 
on  the  way  from  place  to  place,  and  wherever  he 
went,  cheering  his  brethren  by  his  sweet  and  heavenly 


S^  MEMOIRS    OF 

deportment,  and  imparting  to  them  in  the  pulpit,  and 
in  their  public  deliberations,  and  in  the  social  circle^ 
the  fruits  of  his  matured  wisdom. 

His  pen  was  now  employed  in  keeping  up  a  more 
regular  correspondence  with  his  brethren  on  matter* 
pertaining  to  the  interests  of  Zion,  aud  in  the  occa- 
sional preparation  for  the  press  of  essays  on  important 
subjects. 

In  1833,  the  Christian  Index,  which  had  been  edited 
for  several  years  by  the  Rev.  W.  T.  Brantly,  at  Phil- 
adelphia, with  the  approval  of  the  Baptist  Board  «f 
Foreign  Missions,  under  whose  auspices  the  paper 
was  first  commenced  at  Washington  City,  and  the  de- 
sire of  many  brethren,  was  transferred  to  Mr.  Mercer, 
This  necessarily  brought  him  into  a  new  sphere  of 
eflbrt,  and  imposed  on  him  much  anxiety,  labor,  and 
responsibility.  The  purchase  of  an  office,  of  a  new 
press  and  suitable  type,  subjected  him  to  the  expense 
of  between  two  and  three  thousand  dollars  ;  and  from 
year  to  year  the  partial  and  tardy  returns  from  his 
subscribers  compelled  him  to  sustain  a  considerable 
pecuniary  loss. 

The  duties  of  an  Editor  were  not  veiy  congenial 
with  Mr.  Mercer's  taste  and  feelings  :  had  he  been 
more  thoroughly  drilled  in  the  art  of  composing,  and 
his  previous  habits  been  more  decidedly  literary,  his 
task  would  have  been  less  irksome ;  still,  though  la- 
boring under  some  disadvantages,  he  was  enabled  to 
render  his  paper  the  vehicle  of  much  useful,  solid,  re- 
ligious instruction.     The  burden  of  his  editorial  cares 

o 

was  much  lightened  by  the  assistance  of  the  Rev.  W, 
H.  Stokes,  who  for  several  years  was  associated  with 
him  as  an  assistant  Editor. 

His  name  and  character  gavo  much  weigh  t  to  hi& 


JESSE    MERCER.  Ill 

editorial  communications,  and  they  generally  contain- 
ed much  important  tliought,  plainly,  though  often  for- 
cibly expressed.  His  reputation  as  a  wise  counsellor, 
able  divine,  and  skilful  expounder  of  the  discipline  of 
the  church,  brought  to  him  from  his  numerous  friends 
and  coiTespondents,  many  queries  upon  a  great  va- 
riety of  subjects  pertaining  to  doctrine,  duty,  church, 
and  associational  aftair^.  These  he  generally  answer- 
ed in  a  sensible,  judicious,  and  scriptural  manner,  and 
much  to  the  satisfaction  of  candid,  reflecting  minds. 
Through  the  columns  of  his  paper,  the  benevolent  op- 
erations of  the  day  were  constantly  urged  and  defend- 
ed, and  in  meeting  the  various  objections  that  have 
been  urged  from  time  to  time  against  them,  Mr.  Mer- 
cer displayed  a  readiness,  skill,  and  originality,  that 
have  seldom  been  surpassed. 

For  some  time  after  the  removal  of  the  paper  to 
Washington,  its  pages  contained  much  controversial 
matter  that  was  considered  objectionable,  particularly 
by  the  more  distant  subscribers  ;  yet  the  peculiar  con- 
dition of  many  of  the  churches  and  associations  in  the 
state  rendered  this  almost  unavoidable.  Many  im- 
portant and  vital  questions  arose,  that  it  was  import- 
ant to  have  settled  upon  scriptural  ground  ;  discussion 
seemed  absolutely  necessary  ;  and  though  there  was 
often  mingled  with  it  a  degi'ee  of  severity  and  bitter- 
ness that  could  not  be  justified,  yet  in  the  result  it  was 
evident,  that  much  light  had  been  thrown  upon  subjects 
which  had  before  been  too  imperfectly  understood  ; 
and  that  many  of  the  churches  were  settling  down 
in  a  quiet,  stable  manner,  upon  more  scriptural  prin- 
ciples. In  another  chapter  of  this  vrork,  we  shall  have 
occasion  to  refer  more  particularly  to  this  subject. 

The  occasion  for   these    unpleasant   controversies 


112  MEMOIRS    OF 

having  in  a  good  degree  passed  away,  the  pages  of 
the  paper  assumed  a  more  peaceful  and  inviting  as- 
pect, and  yielded  a  larger  space  to  important  religious 
intelligence,  and  the  discussion  of  such  subjects  as 
possessed  more  general  interest. 

In  1840,  the  Christian  Index,  v^th  the  press  and  all 
its  appendages,  was  generously  tendered  by  the  pro- 
prietor to  the  Baptist  State  Convention  :  the  liberal 
donation  was  accepted,  and  at  the  close  of  the  year  the 
paper  was  removed  to  Penfield,  where  it  has  since 
been  published  under  the  general  supei-vision  of  the 
Executive  Committee. 

In  1S35,  the  degi'ee  of  D.  D.  was  conferred  on  Mr. 

Mercer  by  the  Board  of  Fellows  of  Brown  University. 

The  cordiality  with  which  this  honor  was  conferred, 

may  be  learned  from  a  short  extract  from  a  letter  from 

the  Rev.  Lucius  Bolles  to  Mr.  Mercer.     "In  relation 

to  the  Degree,  I  hope  it  may  not  be  unpleasant.     It 

has  been  in  contemplation  for  two  or  three  yeare  as 

what  ought  to  be  done,  provided  the  thing  is  proper 

in  any  case,  and  I  assure  you  it  was  conferred  vdth 

great  cordiality  ;  and  for  myself  I  can  say,  never  with 

more  j^leasure."     The  sentiments  of  Mr.  Mercer  on 

the  occasion,  may  be  learned  from  an  extract  from  a 

letter  to  Mr.  Bolles,  dated  Sept.  24th,  1835  ;  and  from 

his  letter  to  President  Wayland,  which  immediately 

follows.     "  Another  matter  has  turned  up  and  given 

me  some  perplexity.     The  late  act  of  the  Fellows  of 

Brown  University,  in  conferring  the  degi'ee  of  Doctor 

of  Divinity  unanimously  on  me,  has  astounded  me. 

To  receive  the  nieritless  [unmented]  honor,   seems 

hardly  just  to  myself  and  the  cause ;  to  refuse  it  is  to 

hold  in  contempt  the  kind  expression   of  the   sense 

which  my  bretliren  of  high  standing  entertain  of  my 


JESSE    MERCER.  113.* 

character  and  strvices.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  delermine. 
If  I  were  in  the  vigor  of  life,  I  should  surely  refuse 
it ;  but  as  I  am  nearly  worn  out  any  how,  it  may  bo 
best  to  let  it  pass." 

TO    PRESIDENT    WAYLAND, 

"  Washington,  Sept.  25, 1835. 
**  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir 

"■  I  have  the  honor  of  acknowledging  the  receipt 
of  yours  of  the  9th  inst.,  informing  me,  'that  at  the 
late  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Fellows  of  Brown  Uni- 
versity, the  Degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  unani- 
mously conferred  upon  me  by  that  authority ;  and  that 
tbe  act  was  duly  announced  on  Commencement  day,* 
and  that  the  same  was  addressed  to  me  by  you,  *  in 
the  hope  that  this  testimonial  of  your  (the  Board's) 
respect  for  my  character  and  ser\dces  would  be  ac- 
ceptable.' 

"  Now,  my  dear  Sir,  penult  me,  through  you,  to 
say  to  the  Board  of  Fellows  of  Brown  University,  that, 
80  far  as  it  respects  themselves,  and  all  whose  feel- 
ings, on  this  subject,  may  be  in  unison  with  theirs,  for 
this  testimonial  of  respect  for  my  character  and  ser- 
vices, from  so  high  an  authority,  I  am  grateful,  and 
do  accept  it  with  all  readiness  of  mind;  but  so  far  as 
it  relates  to  myself,  and  the  unknowing  and  unthink- 
ing multitude,  I  must  beg  leave  to  be  excused  the 
acceptance  of  a  rjiecd  of  praise  so  rich,  of  which  I  feel 
myself  entirely  undeserving,  and  altogether  unable  to 
sustain." 

The  title  of  Dr.  w^as  seldom  given  to  Mr.  Mercer, 
except  by  his  brethren  at  a  distance.  His  intimate 
brethren  at  home  had  a  kind  of  instinctive  feeling, 

6* 


114  BIEMOIRS    OF 

that  the  title  did  not  accord  with  the  simplicity  of  hi» 
character ;  and  they  also  felt,  that  the  relation  between 
Mr.  Mercer  and  themselves  was  too  sacred,  tender, 
and  endearing,  to  allow  the  use  of  such  a  formal  an^ 
stately  epithet.  Father^  and  Brother^  were  the  only 
terms  which  suited  their  ears  and  their  hearts,  when 
addressing  this  eminent  servant  of  Christ. 

Some  extracts  from  Mr.  Mercer's  eorresponden€© 
will  concltide  this  chapter. 

TO    MRS,  c. 

^"  Washington,  Sept.  3Gik,  1329^. 

••^  Dear  Sister  C. 

**  Your  kind  letter  of   the  27th  came  to  us  thi9 

morning ;  we  were  glad  to  hear  from  you,  though  the 

contents  were  melancholy.     We  sympathize  with  yo3 

and  Mr.  C.  in  the  affliction  occasioned  by  the  deaths 

of  dear  friends  ^and  relations.     Affliction  and  death 

have  surrounded  us  also. 

^       #       «       # 

*'  We  hope  you  may  be  able  to  be  at  the  Associa- 
tion, where  we  may  meet  once  more.  The  hymn 
you  mention  is  good.  A  similar  one  has  often  oc- 
curred to  my  mind  in  troubles  ;  to  wit : 

'  Goil  is  mir  refuge  in  fijstress, 
A  ready  help  when  dangers  press,'  &r, 

"  It  is,  my  dear  sister,  a  comfortable  thought  that 
our  refuge  is  God,  and  everywhere.  May  the  Lord 
sustain  you  in  all  your  afflictions,  and  prepare  dear 
Mr.  C.  for  whatever  a  gi^acious  God  has  in  view  for 
him." 


JESSE    MERCER.  Xl^ 

TO    TUE    SAME. 

"  Washington,  Feb.  2lst,  1830. 
"  Dear  Sister  C. 

'*  We  have  received  your  letters,  recounting  your 
and  the  protracted  afflictions  of  Mr.  C.  The  Lord 
does  not  afflict  the  sons  of  men  nor  giieve  them  in 
vain.  Faith  says,  '  'tis  all  for  the  best ;'  and  scripture 
says,  *  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good 
to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are  the  called 
according  to  his  purpose.'  If,  however,  you  in  weak- 
ness cannot  see  how  all  these  trials  and  miseries  can 
be  for  good,  only  be  j^atient,  and  you  shall  in  a  little 
while  know  all  about  it.  This  is  to  you  a  time  a  lit- 
tle like  that  spoken  of  in  Zechariah  14th  chap.  6th 
and  7th  verses  :  "  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that 
day,  that  the  light  shall  not  be  deary  nor  dark  ;  but  it 
shall  be  one  day,  which  shall  be  known  to  the  Lord, 
not  da  I/,  nor  night ;  but  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  at 
evenino-  time  it  shall  he  light.'  Also  read  Isa.  50th 
chap,  and  10th  verse,  which  encourages  to  trust  in 

the  Lord  at  all  times. 

*       *        *       * 

*'  Tell  dear  Mr.  C.  that  *  to  all  the  living  there  is 
hope,'  and  to  call  on  the  Lord  while  he  may  be  found, 
and  possibly  is  near ;  that  now  is  the  accepted  time 
with  him,  and  only  possible  day  of  salvation." 

TO    THE    SAME. 

"  Washins;ton,  AprilJlG/h,  1830. 

**  Dear  Sister  C. 

"  Your  letter,  bearing  the  melancholy  intelligence 
of  the   departure   of   your  dear  husband,  was  duly 


116  M£MOIRS    OF 

brought  us  by  last  mail.  The  dej)arture  of  an  im 
mortal  spirit  is  always  an  occurrence  of  deep  con- 
cern ;  but  when  it  happens  in  any  of  our  dear  inti- 
mates and  close  connexions,  it  is  more  so ;  especially 
when  our  happiness  in  life  is  intimately  bound  up  in 
their  life ;  but  still  more  solemn  and  interesting  and 
heart-rending,  when  we  cast  a  longing  anxious  look 
on  their  everlasting  flight,  and  can't  see  one  ray  of 
certain,  heavenly  light  on  their  passage  !  O,  how  we 
would  rejoice  to  hear  some  good  word  to  settle  our 
fears,  and  give  us  hope  in  their  final  and  everlasting 
state  ! 

**  It  seems  that  your  unhappiness  is  to  reflect  on  a 
life  of  many  variations  and  serious  changes  : — a  long 
and  painful  illness,  at  last  to  have  ended  without  giv- 
ing you  one  solid  reason  [on  which]  to  rest  your  dis- 
consolate spirit.  Well  then,  sister  Dorothy,  there  is 
yet  one  refuge  for  your  weary  soul — resignation  to 
the  will  of  your  heavenly  Father.  He  is  in  the  hand 
of  Him  who  is  Judge  of  all  the  earth,  and  will  do 
right  with  all  his  creatures.  'Tis  yours,  (and  I  hope 
you  ^vill  have  grace,)  to  say  w^th  David,  *  I  was  dumb 
with  silence  and  opened  not  my  mouth,  because  thou 
^Lord)  did'st  it.'  There  are  many  comfortable  scrip- 
tures for  the  2vidow ;  fly,  my  dear  sister,  to  the  rest 
which  these  promises  give,  and  trust  in  the  Lord,  and 
you  shall  never  be  confounded,  world  without  end." 

TO    THE    SAME. 

'*  Washington,  May  dd,  1830. 

•*  Dear  Sister, 

"Yours  of  first  inst.  was  handed  us  yesterday  as 
we  returned  from  meeting.  We  truly  condole  with 
you  in  your  solitary  state,  and  would  do  you  good  if 


JESSE    :\IEUCKK.  117 

in  our  power.  But  all  we  can  do,  is  to  advise  you  as 
JEliphaz  did  Job,  to  seek  unto  God,  and  unto  ?ii?}i  to 
commit  your  cause;  because  he  doetli  great  things 
and  unsearchable  ;  marvellous  things  without  number. 
You  have  suffered  much,  but  not  so  much  as  many. 
You  have  many  good  and  gracious  friends,  whilst 
many  are  friendless,  as  well  as  propertyless.  You 
know  the  way,  and  you  must  walk  in  it,  and  you  will 
find  peace  to  your  soul. 


"You  say  you  have  no  bridle  nor  saddle — all 
hurnt !  well,  you  must  have  them,  in  order  to  go 
about  to  see  your  friends,  and  to  meetings.  I  advise 
you  to  buy  some,  and  trust  for  the  means  to  pay.  I 
hope  and  pray  you  may  be  guided  into  the  right  way 
by  your  heavenly  Father,  who  is  the  widow's  God." 


TO    THE    SAME. 

"Jan'y  9,  1832. 
"  As  to  religious  feeling  among  us,  I  can  give  you 
but  a  bad  account.  It  seems  that  the  winter  has  fro- 
zen every  thing  like  pious  or  zealous  feeling  in  all 
parties.  I  am  somewhat  chagrined  at  the  scasonahlc 
appearance  which  the  late  revivals  have  taken,  to 
spring  up  in  the  hot  weather  and  decline  with  it,  and 
die  in  winter.  I  want  a  revival  which  will  live  all 
winter." 

The  following  letter  is  addressed  to  the  same  indi- 
vidiril  as  Sister  S.,  her  name  having  been  previously 
changed  by  a  second  marriage  : 


118  MEMOIRS  or 

"  December  26,  1332 
"Dear  Sister  S. 

"  Your  letter  of  9th  inst.  was  duly  received,  and 
read  with  interest.  After  detailing  your  woes,  you 
ask  whether  we  have  such  feelings.  'Tis  but  too  true 
a  picture  you  give  of  our  exercises.  Read  in  the 
Cluster,  page  33S  Newton's,  and  also  on  the  next 
page ;  and  our  own  on  page  340.  But  these  should 
not  discourage  us.  We  are  taught  in  the  Bible,  that 
we  must  walk  by  faith,  and  not  by  sight.  It  is  God's 
design,  that  we  shall  trust  him  for  Jiis  grace.  Paul 
was  taught  this  lesson  by  a  severe  discipline,  and 
which  God  only  remedied  by  a  simple  declaration, 
*  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee.'  We  must  leam  to 
walk  through  darkness  and  not  fear.  It  is  God-hon- 
oring to  trust  and  not  be  afraid.  But  yet  how  weak 
are  we  to  trust  even  the  *  oath  and  promise'  of  our 
heavenly  Father,  who  is,  and  ever  will  be,  faithfulness 
itself.  We  too  often  look  for  some  good  qualities  in 
ourselves,  instead  of  looking  at  his  faithfulness  and 
unchanofinof  love.  We  sometimes  are  too  much  at 
ease  in  the  possession  of  earthly  blessings,  and  the 
Lord,  as  a  correction,  leaves  us  awhile  to  their  enjoy- 
ment, to  let  us  know  their  little  worth,  without  better 
blessings,  even  his  Spirit  and  grace  to  sanctify,  and 
make  them  the  means  of  our  being  more  useful  in  the 
use  of  them." 

TO  THE  REV.  LUCIUS  BOLLES,  BOSTON. 

*'  Washington,  Dec.  26,  1832. 
***** 

**  I  rejoice  in  the  abundant  success  the  Lord  has 
given  his  servants,  both  to  the  east  and  west.     There 


JKSSE    MERCER-  119 

"ivei'e  in  the  Saluda  Association,  S.  C,  within  the  asso- 
ciational  year  (ending  August)  with  only  twenty 
churches,  baptized  about  one  thousand  three  hundred, 
and  in  six  new  churches  added  about  two  hundred  j 
in  all,  one  thousand  five  hundred.  And  you  have  seen 
in  the  Index,  about  one  thousand  seven  hundred  in 
the  Edgefield.  In  our  state  there  is  not  much  ex- 
citement in  religious  affairs.  I  hope  the  hands  of  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions  are  strengthened  day  by 
day.  You  have  seen  we  too  are  trying  to  do  some- 
thing. Our  manual  labor  school  is  rising,  and  will  go 
into  operation  on  the  second  Monday  in  next  month. 
The  prospect  is  fair — applications  overflowing.  But 
in  the  project  and  furtherance  of  this  scheme,  I  have 
no  great  share  of  praise ;  for  I  have  rather  opposed 
and  hung  back,  because  I  wished  to  see  other  and 
previous  great  objects  further  advanced  and  more 
finnly  fixed  on  terra  fimia.  But  I  could  not  hold  back 
the  zeal  which  has  eaten  up  our  brethren,  to  be  doing 
somethinof  at  home.  It  has  had  its  effect.  I  am  cott- 
strained  to  go  with  my  brethren,  and  work  with  them, 
and  have  my  hands  full  and  a  place  for  all  my  sui'plus 
funds.  Of  course,  I  cannot  do  abroad  what  might 
have  been  looked  for.  I  cannot  accept  a  project  from 
Bumiali  in  favor  of  a  Palestine  mission.  I  must,  and 
will  try,  while  God  pennits  me  life,  to  keep  our  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions,  in  their  enlarged  operations,  on 
their  feet.  This,  and  the  Columbian  College,  and  our 
own  school  affairs,  are  too  weighty  for  me. 

"  Our  political  matters  are  truly  alarming.  Inter- 
est, local  interest,  is  likely  to  ruin  us.  True,  I  think 
the  burdens  of  the  government  are  unequally  distrib- 
uted by  the  tariff  laws,  but  the  south  complains  too 
much,  perhaps.     Will  it  be  better  for  manufacturers 


120  MfiMomS  ot" 

to  be  thrown  on  their  own  capital  and  risk  their  indi- 
vidual success,  rather  than  to  dissolve  the  Union  'I 
But  our  true  consolation  is,  the  Lord  reigneth. 

"  God  has  bereaved  you  indeed  in  the  death  of  our 
valuable  brother,  E.  Lincoln.  But  He  who  gave, 
and  trained  him  for  usefulness,  can  fill  the  place  He 
has  vacated. 

"  Give  my  most  fervent  love  to  all  the  dear  breth- 
ren, and  believe  me  to  be,  dear  brother, 
**  Yours  in  Christ  our  Lord, 

"Jesse  Merger." 

The  following  was  written  to  Mrsv  S.  shortly  after 
the  death  of  her  second  husband : 

"  Washington^  June  22,  1833, 
»*  My  Dear  Sister  S. 

**  Your  letter  intended  for  me  at  Crawfordville, 
the  night  I  had  an  appointment  there,  but  was  hin- 
dered by  high  waters,  was  handed  me  at  Phillips'  by 
Brother  Davant.  I  was  on  my  way  to  our  Conven- 
tion, when  I  was  first  informed  of  the  distressing  ter- 
mination of  Mr.  S.'s  dangerous  illness,  of  which  you 
informed  us  about  two  weeks  before.  I  had  hoped 
better,  but  the  will  of  our  merciful  and  heavenly  Fa- 
ther had  determined  otherwise.  I  hope  and  pray  tJie 
God  of  all  grace,  in  whom  you  trust,  will  grant  you 
faith  and  patience  to  endure  as  hcliolding  him  who  is 
invisible.  *  All  things  work  together  for  good  to  them 
who  love  God.'  In  this  you  are  fully  persuaded,  and 
on  this,  and  such-like  promises,  you  will  cast  your 
whole  burden.  We  are,  dear  sister,  by  these  dispen- 
sations of  bereavement,  taught  the  vanity  of  all  our 
best  earthly  enjoyments,  and  led  to  liave  our  hearts 


JESSE    MEllCKK.  121 

Pet  on  a  better,  and  a  more  enduring  substance.  The 
Lord's  ways  are  not  our  ways ;  but  it  is  our  happi- 
ness to  make  his  ways  ours,  and  to  be  resigned  to 
them.  It  should  be  our  daily  prayer,  that  he  would 
lead  us  into  the  way  which  he  has  chosen  we  should 
go;  and  that  we  might  walk  willingly  therein,  and 
find  rest  to  our  souls  :  yea,  and  we  should  find  peace 
and  comfort  to  our  souls,  if  we  did  but  walk  ario-ht  in 
his  paths.  Let  your  mind  be  stayed  on  Him  :  He 
who  has  provided  hitherto  will  still  provide." 

The   following  letter  was   addressed  to  a  female 
fiiend  through  the  columns  of  the  Index. 

"Mr  Dear  Sister  in  the  Lord, 

"  Your  interesting  letter  was  duly  received,  and 
has  laid  by  for  some  time,  in  order  that  I  might  be 
able  to  give  you  a  more  satisfactory  answer ;  and  I 
have  taken  this  method  of  reply,  that  if  I  mio-ht  be  so 
happy  as  to  afford  you  any  relief,  in  the  subjects  of 
your  inquiry,  I  might  also  help  others,  in  the  same 
pei*plexities.  I  regret  that  you  should  have  had  any 
hesitance  in  presenting  your  distress  of  mind  to  me 
especially  under  ideas  of  disi^arity  beticcen  us.  None 
should  be  too  humble  to  express  their  complaints,  and 
none  too  great  to  listen  to  them  with  an  attentive  ear, 
in  order  to  afford  any  possible  relief.  By  communi- 
cating our  perplexities  freely  to  our  fnends,  they  may 
be  readily  obviated,  and  our  minds  relieved.  Your 
present  distress  is,  that  your  sentiment,  in  reference 
to  the  plan  of  salvation,  is  so  unlike  to  those  of  some 
of  your  brethren,  that  you  fear  lest  you  may  be  in  er- 
ror. You,  therefore,  desire  to  make  them  knowTi  to 
me,  that  if,  in  my  judgment,  they  are  erroneous,  or 


122  MEMOIRS    OF 

defective,  I  may  correct  them,  and  give  you  the  in- 
struction you  need.  You  make  the  following  state- 
ment of  your  sentiments  :  *  I  believe  that  by  the  fall 
of  Adam,  his  whole  posterity  became  alienated  from 
God ;  that  they  are  totally  depraved ;  that  they  are  as 
destitute  of  spiritual  life,  as  the  body  will  be  of  tem- 
poral life,  when  consigned  to  the  grave,  until  the  Holy 
Spirit  operates  on  the  heart ;  that  when  this  work  is 
commenced,  it  will  eventually  be  completed  ;  that  the 
salvation  of  every  believer  is  the  purchase  of  Christ's 
blood ;  that  He  is  their  Redeemer,  and  their  atoning 
sacrifice  ;  that  in  Hhn  the  justice  of  God  is  satisfied 
in  their  stead ;  and  that  this  salvation  is  immutable.' 
These  particulars  are  doubtless  essentially  true,  ac- 
cording to  the  scriptures.  That  all  men  are  dead  in 
sins  from  Adam,  is  clearly  sustained  from  Rom.  5  : 
12.  *  By  one  man  sin  entered  into  the  world,  and 
death  by  sin  ;  and  so  death  passed  upon  all  men,  for 
that  all  have  sinned.''  That  all  are  totally  depraved, 
is  proven  by  the  testimony  of  God  himself.  Gen. 
&  :  5.  *  And  God  saw  that  the  wickedness  of  man 
was  great  in  the  earth,  and  that  every  imagination  of 
the  thoughts  of  his  heart  was  only  evil  continually.^ 
See  also  Ps.  14  :  and  Rom.  3  :  10-18.  That  men  are 
entirely  destitute  of  spiritual  life,  is  evident  from  Eph. 
2  :  1,  5.  '  Dead  in  sins,'  is  the  contrast  of  that  life, 
by  which  believers  are  *  quickened;'  or  it  is  that  state, 
in  which  they  are  before  faith,  as  expressed  in  verse 
12,  'Without  God;'  and  so  without  any  spiritual 
life.  This  connexion  proves  very  clearly,  that  the 
state  of  wrath  continues  until  the  quickening  influ- 
ences of  the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ  are  felt  on  the 
heart.  Regeneration  is  found  in  the  renewing  of  the 
Holy   Ghost;    and  Christ  says  it  is  the  spirit  that 


JESSE    MERCEK.  123 

quickenefffi.  That  when  this  work  is  commenced,  it 
will  eventually  be  completed,  is  as  evident,  as  Paul's 
confidence  is  true.  Phil.  1:6.  *  Being  confident  of 
this  very  thing,  that  he  who  hath  begun  a  good  work 
in  you,  will  perform  it  until  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ.' 
That  the  salvation  of  every  believer  is  the  purchase 
of  Christ's  blood ;  or  rather,  that  it  is  the  frde  gift  of 
God,  through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus, 
as  their  Redeemer  and  atoning  sacrifice,  in  whom  God 
is  well  pleased,  is,  I  presume,  denied  by  none ;  and 
that  their  salvation  is  immutable,  is  certain,  because  it 
is  eternal,  Heb.  5  :  9,  and  results  from  an  *  unchange- 
able Priesthood.'     7  :  24. 

"  The  irrefragable  certainty  in  the  salvation  of  all 
God's  people,  which  your  mind  holds,  from  this  state 
of  things,  with  a  pleasing  tenacity,  seems  to  you,  to 
be  untenable  with  the  sentiments  of  some,  who  sus- 
pend the  salvation   of  sinners  under  the  gospel,  on 
their  free  volitions,  or  voluntary  choice.     In  conver- 
sation with  some  of  your  brethren,  you  have  been  re- 
ferred to  Rev.  Mr.  Brantley's  third  Seimon.     On  read- 
ing of  which  you  say,  *  I  must  confess,  I  there  find 
sentiments  which,  to  me,  appear  as  if  the  salvation  of 
sinners  depended  on  the  use  of  means,  placed  within 
their  power.'     Taking  parts  of  this  discourse,  sepa- 
rate and  apart  from  the  rest,  such  would  seem  to  be 
their  import;  but  taking  it  as   a   whole,   I   conceive 
from   a  careful   reading,  that  the   reverse   is    estab- 
lished.    The  main  object  of  Brother  B.  is  to  do  away 
from  the  minds  of  his  readers,  the  notion  that  God 
save  smen  by  coercion  ;  and  to  establish  the  sentiment 
that  sinners  are  saved  with  their  own  free  consent  or 
.voluntary  choice.     The   truth  of  this  position  must 
strike  youi*  mind  at  once,  by  considenng  the  absurdity 


124  MEMOIRS  or 

of  the  contrary  opinion,  can-ied  out.  Suppose  a  sin* 
ner  coerced  to  be  saved,  as  a  culprit  is  coerced  to 
court ;  and  can  he  be  happy,  or  glorify  God  for  his 
salvation  ]  Certainly  not :  so  then  he  cannot  be  saved 
by  coercion.  Although  Brother  B.  contends  most 
strenuously  against  the  opinion  that  God  saves  sinners 
by  *  coercive  necessity,'  yet  he  does  not  hold  that  the 
salvation  of  God's  chosen  people,  is  at  all  the  less  cer- 
tain. His  w^ords  are  :  *  The  power  which  grace  ex- 
erts is  the  power  of  persuasion,  of  illumination,  or  of 
attraction.  The  energy  which  accompanies  it,  is  far 
from  the  asperities  of  constraint ;  the  efficiency  which 
it  possesses,  though  approaching  towards  compulsion, 
yet  stops  short  of  it.'  And  why  1  Because  salvation 
by  mere  force  would  defeat  God's  gracious  purpose 
and  promise  to  the  Redeemer,  *  Thy  people  sliall  he 
loilling  in  the  day  of  thy  power.'  Our  brother  con- 
tinues, *  It  calls  the  soul  effectually j  moves  it  by  ra- 
tional inducement,  rouses  it  from  the  sleepy  torpor  of 
unbelief,  and  informs  it  by  the  teachings  of  the  Holy 
Spirit ;  but  in  all  this  there  is  nothing  that  impairs  the 
freedom  of  choice,  or  of  action.'  But  I  will  add,  ex- 
cites and  improves  it  in  both.  Again,  Brother  B. 
states,  '  The  mind  is  perfectly  free  in  believing,  for 
though  the  evidence  may  he  so  strong  as  to  make  un- 
belief impracticahle,  yet  belief  itself  is  a  spontaneous 
movement.'  Brother  B.,  in  maintaining  *  that  salva- 
tion is  so  propounded  to  all  men,  as  to  make  its  ac- 
ceptance or  rejection  a  possible  thing,'  states  that 
*  what  I  am  now  insisting  upon  is  in  full  view  of  the 
fact,  that  some  are  converted  and  some  are  not ;  some 
regenerated  and  some  not ;  some  are  true  penitents 
and  others  never  feel  one  genuine  emotion  of  the  sort ; 
some  love  God  and  bear  the  impress  of  sanctity,  while 


JESSE    MEtlCER.  125 

Others  remain  under  the  dominion  of  unbelief  and 
hardness  of  heart ;  and  all  this  diversity  is  witnessed 
under  the  same  administration  of  visible  means.'  And 
how  does  Brother  B.  account  for  all  this  ]  Why,  says 
he,  '  The  Holy  Spirit  does  exert  a  greater  influence 
upon  some  minds  than  upon  others  within  the  pale  of 
the  same  visible  administrations  of  means ;  and  that 
this  greater  influence  must  account  for  the  conversion 
of  some,  while  others  remain  unconverted,  is  what  I 
fully  believe.  That  salvation  too  is  wholly  of  the 
grace  of  God,  and  that  it  is  God  that  worketh  in  us 
both  to  will  and  to  do,  is  a  position  to  which  my  mind 
fully  accords.'  He  also  declares  that  *  God's  free  and 
sovereign  grace  in  the  redemption  of  sinners,  and  in 
all  the  influences  by  which  that  redemption  is  ap- 
plied and  rendered  effectual,  is  most  clear  and  unde- 
niable.' 

"  These  quotations  sufficiently  show  that  Brother  B. 
holds  the  salvation  of  sinners  to  be  the  effect  of  the 
special  and  effectual  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit — 
by  free  grace  alone ;  yet  he  does  not  think  that  any 
are  put  under  *  a  coercive  necessity'  to  be  saved. 
And  you,  yourself,  admit  that  sinners,  under  the 
quickening  and  illuminating  influences  of  God's  Spi- 
rit, *  need  no  other  coercive  necessity  to  impel  them  to 
use  the  means  ;  for  the  salvation  of  their  souls  has 
now  become  the  all-conquering  principle  :  Therefore, 
it  cannot  be  said  that  they  *  yield  to  the  necessity  of 
being  saved,  just  as  they  yield  to  the  necessity  of  dy- 
ing.' Thus  you  agree  with  Brother  B.  when  he  says, 
that  '  spiritual  influences  are  canied  on  almost  to 
compulsion,  but  stop  short  of  it,'  because  a  conquest 
is  gained — the  sinner  yields,  and  is  saved. 

'*  It  should  always  be  kept  in  mind,  that  the  dia- 


126  MEMOIRS    OF 

pensations  of  God  embrace  two  departments  ;  the  one 
including  things  as  they  He  with  himself,  or  between 
himself  and  Christ.  To  this  department  belong  all 
the  purposes  and  promises  of  mercy,  which  are  all 
absolute  and  infrustrable ;  and  rest  for  their  accom- 
plishment on  the  free  and  sovereign  grace  of  a  faith- 
ful  and  covenant  God.  The  other  embraces  things 
as  they  lie  between  God  and  his  rational  creatures, 
and  is  founded  on  the  rights  and  authority  of  God 
over  them,  and  their  duties  and  obligations  to  him  as 
their  Creator.  Here  God  has  an  indisputed  authority 
to  command,  and  (if  he  graciously  please)  to  invite, 
beseech  and  entreat;  and  doubtless  it  is  their  duty  to 
obey  and  yield  a  cordial  compliance  with  the  divine 
and  all  gracious  proposals ;  and  it  must  be  their  con- 
demnation if  they  refuse.  But  let  it  be  remembered 
that  this  done  saves  no  man  ;  for  God  saves  men  only 
through  faith  in  Chris  fs  hlood.  But  if  God  has  been 
pleased  to  place  the  evidences  of  his  grace  in  a  righ- 
teous obedience  to  his  commands,  is  it  safe  to  seek 
them  elsewhere  %  I  think  not.  It  is  true  all  men  re- 
sist the  claims  and  refuse  the  grace  of  the  dispensation 
of  calls  and  means,  and  will  not  comply.  It  is,  there- 
fore, that  God  puts  forth  a  mightier  energy  of  divine 
influence  into  these  tneans  and  invitations,  by  which 
they  are  rendered  effectual,  by  *  the  persuasion,  illu- 
mination or  attractions  of  the  Holy  Spirit,'  to  salva- 
tion. So,  then,  it  comes  to  pass  that  all  who  are 
saved,  are  saved  by  the  free  and  unmerited  giace  of 
God ;  while  they  that  perish,  sink  under  the  weight 
of  their  own  unbelieving  refusals  of  the  just  claims  of 
God  over  them. 

**  According  to  the  covenant  stipulation,  *  all  things 
were  finished  from  the  foundation  of  the  world  ;'  and 


JESSE    MERCER.  127 

all  given  to  the  Son,  as  the  reward  of  his  sufferings, 
were  complete  in  him — were  fully  justified  and  par- 
doned in  the  sight  of  God,  while  as  yet  there  was  none 
of  them.  But  according  to  the  dispensation  of  his 
grace,  there  are  times  and  seasons,  which  the  Father 
has  reserv'ed  under  his  own  power.  In  these  we  sin, 
repent,  and  are  forgiven.  And  again,  sin,  repent,  and 
are  forgiven,  &c. — Thus  we  must  be  careful,  not  to 
confound  the  things  which  belong  to  the  times  and 
seasons  of  God's  dispensation  to  men,  with  the  pur- 
poses and  things  which  were  ordered  and  sure  in  his 
everlasting  covenant. 

'*  You  hear  it  said,  *  The  atonement  was  made  for 
all  mankind ;  but  the  application  definite,  or  how 
could  the  offer  of  salvation  be  held  forth  in  the  gos- 
pel to  all,  if  the  atonement  was  not  made  for  all.' 
This  you  think  inconsistent  with  the  value  of  the  pre- 
cious blood  of  Christ,  and  the  nature  of  the  relation 
it  holds  in  the  covenant  of  redemption.  They  who 
hold  this  language,  confound  the  atonement  with  the 
rights  and  authority  of  God  over  mankind,  and  which 
are  given  to  Christ,  as  Mediator,  and  which  he  exer- 
cises, as  his  right  by  inheritance,  and  not  from  his 
death.  Moreover,  the  word  for  must  be  used  very 
loosely  ;  for  if  the  atonement  is  made  as  a  price,  which 
benefits  no  one  until  applied,  then  it  is  properly  made 
for  no  one.  The  word  offer,  too,  so  often  and  so 
sweetly  used,  is  not  used  in  scripture  in  that  sense. 
Christ  has  commanded  his  gospel  to  be  preached  to 
every  creature ;  and  all  men  are  called  on,  nay,  com- 
manded, to  repent  and  believe  the  gospel ;  and  assu- 
rance is  given  that  they  that  do  so  cordially,  shall  be 
saved. 

"  The  views  you  have  given  of  the  relation  there 


l^S  MEMOIRS    OF 

was  between  the  shedding  of  the  blood  of  Christ,  and 
those  who  are  profited  by  it,  are  certainly  correct. 
If  there  were  no  persons  in  the  view  of  the  Father 
and  the  Son,  for  whom  Christ  shed  his  blood,  I  see 
not  how  it  could  be  applied  to  any.  For  an  illustra- 
tion, suppose  the  executive  of  the  state  to  make  out  a 
number  of  reprieves  without  any  names  in  them,  can 
any  criminal  be  discharged  by  one  of  them  ?  Cer- 
tainly not.  The  reprieve  must  be  made  out  in  the 
name  of  the  person  to  be  benefited.  So  the  precious 
blood  of  Christ  must  have  been  spilled,  in  the  design 
of  the  Father  and  the  Son,  for  those  who  will  be  finally 
saved.     This  the  Bible  fully  sustains. 

"Dear  Sister,  if  these  reflections  shall  give  you  or 
any  of  the  readers  of  the  Index,  any  satisfaction  of 
mind,  or  comfort  in  the  love  of  Christ,  or  confirma- 
tion in  the  truth  of  the  gospel,  I  shall  rejoice  with  you 
and  them,  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Je- 
sus Christ,  unto  eternal  life. 

**  I  am  your  servant,  for  Jesus'  sake, 

**  Jesse  Mercer." 

to  dr.  wm.  h.  turpin. 

"  Washington,  Feb.  10,  1834. 
«         #         #  # 

*'  It  would  give  me  joy  to  be  able  to  give  you  some 
good  news,  but  it  is  a  scarce  commodity  with  us.  Bro- 
ther Allen  passed  along  like  a  summer  breeze,  and 
effected  little ;  he  is  a  pleasant  brother.  Brother 
Welch  has  also  passed  on  without  doing  any  thing. 
Mr.  Shepherd  had  made  such  a  heavy  draw  on  the 
people  that  W.  thought  it  best  to  attempt  nothing. 
Mr,  S.  had   obtained   a  subscription  of  abouf  $150. 


JESSE    MERCER.  129 

We  had  a  Mr.  Woodbriclge,  Agent  for  the  A.  G.  T.  S. 
for  foreign   distribution,  but  I  think  he  got  but  little. 
I  was  not  present,  and  did  not  see  him.     I  think  we 
are  somewhat  like  a  cow  owned  by  several  families, 
and  subject  to  be  milked  .at  pleasure.    These  families 
might  send  out  their  milk-maids  so  frequent  as  to  be 
unable  to  draw  any  milk  from  the  poor  creature.     I 
think  our  benevolent  societies  had  better  have  a  meet- 
ino-,  and  so  arransfe  their  visits  as  not  to  defeat  their 
object.     Indeed  sir,  I  am,  I  th  mJc,  friendly  to  the  be- 
nevolent objects  of  our  day ;   but   agents  are  become 
like  musketoes,  one  can  hardly  be  beaten  off  but  ano- 
ther is  here.     But  enough  of  this.     The  revival  above 
in  Franklin  and  Elbert  is  still  going  on  I  learn,  but  I 
fear  not  likely  to  spread  much. 

"  Our  school  is  quite  full.  Brother  and  sister  San- 
ders are  quite  at  home,  chin  deep  in  business.  I  fear 
when  they  quit,  we  shall  be  at  a  great  loss  to  find 
another  yoke  of  the  same  mind.  Our  beneficiaries 
are  increasing  also.  A  young  man  passed  me  last 
week  from  the  Tugulo,  S.  C.  side,  from  a  region  of 
much  opposition,  and  equal  am.ount  of  ignorance. 

"  We  have  been  graciously  preserved  this  inclem- 
ent season  in  common  health.  The  spring-like  weath- 
er now  promises  to  compensate  us  for  all  our  \vinter'8 
sufferings.  I  hope  and  trust  you  are  all  in  good 
health.  Tell  brother  M.*  his  'meal  and  gi'its'  are 
out.  The  last,  though  not  so  fine  as  he  might  have 
wished,  has  been  used  up  without  much  (if  any)  com- 
plaint. I  hope  his  *  head  of  water'  is  now  full,  and 
his  stones  pecked  and  shai-p,  and  that  he  will  soon 
send  us  a  good  supply." 

*   A  brolher  who  occasionnlly  contributed  to  the  columns  of  the 

Index. 

7 


130  5IEMOIRS    OF 

TO    MRS.    ». 

*•  Washinglm,  Feb  '23d,  1836. 

**  Dear  Sister  D. 

**  I  have  received  several  kind  letters  from  you, 
and  always  am  pleased  with  them,  though  I  do  not 
answer  them,  owing  to  my  engagement  in  the  busi- 
ness of  the  paper.  I  hope  you  will  not  be  led  to 
think  that  I  am  indiiferent  towards  you  or  your  let- 
ters ;  far  from  this.  I  read  with  interest  yours  of 
21st  inst.  last  night,  and  have  concluded,  as  I  am  con- 
fined to  the  house  by  rain  to-day,  I  would  spend  a 
little  of  it  in  writing  a  few  lines  to  my  sister  Dolly. 

"  I  am  glad  to  learn  that  you  are  likely  to  get  on  in 
your  temporal  affairs  without  any  sacrifice,  or  par- 
ticular injuiy  to  yourself.  You  have  great  right  to 
trust  in  the  Lord  who  has  proclaimed  himself  spe- 
cially to  be  the  widow's  refuge  and  defence.  If  you 
could  come  up  to  the  picture  given  by  Paul  to  Timo- 
thy in  his  first  Epistle  5  :  5,  it  would  be  all  you  need 
to  request,  for  then  all  the  rest  would  be  sure. 

"  Truly,  that  piece  you  mention,  '  hints  to  young 
converts,'  is  well  calculated  to  biing  times  past  into 
present  view ;  to  make  us  go  back  to  those  days  when 
the  Lord  brought  our  souls  from  darkness  into  lights 
and  by  his  grace  created  us  new  creatures  in  Christ ; 
or  made  us  *  young  converts.'  O,  how  have  things 
changed  since  then !  I  am  sometimes  ready  to  say  of 
myself,  '  rf  thou  art  he  :  hat  ah,  hoio  altered  P  This 
is,  however,  our  joy  that  though  tve  change,  the  Rock 
of  our  salvation  remains  the  same.  AVe  may  truly 
rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  make  our  boast  of  him  all  the 
day  long. 


JESSE    MERCER.  131 

^'  You  Speak  of  sennons  which  I  have  preached  in 
tlays  gone  by,  as  precious  seasons  to  you,  still  held  in 
tenacious  recollection.  Well  then,  I  rejoice  I  was 
able  ever  to  preach  so  as  to  leave  a  sweet  or  savory 
memory  behind  for  the  consolation  of  any  believer  in 
Christ.  O,  it  was  not  I,  but  the  Lord  that  spokf3 
through  me,  as  a  certain  sound  is  given  by  a  skilful 
blower  of  a  trumpet.  To  him  be  all  the  praise. .  I 
hope  you  find  many  things  in  the  Index  to  comfort 
and  edify  you.  Thougii  there  are,  and  of  necessity 
will  be,  many  articles  of  controversy  till  we  learn  to 
be  of  a  more  meek  and  quiet  disposition  like  Christ 
our  pattern ;  yet  it  is  the  most  ardent  desire  of  my 
heart  to  afford  the  readers  of  that  paper  some  solid 
food  to  strengthen  their  faith,  and  improve  their  spir- 
itual health :  and  I  hope  I  do  not  altogether  miss  my 
aim.  Every  christian  soldier  cannot  fail  to  be  anx- 
ious to  know  how  the.  kingdom  of  Christ  advances  in 
the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  therefore,  I  should  think, 
would  read  missionary  news  with  rapture. 

"  Nancy  joins  in  best  wishes  for  your  happiness, 
and  be  assured,  I  am  as  ever,  yours,  &c." 

TO    THE    REV.    MR.    BOLLES. 

"  Washington,  May  Hlh,  1836. 
*'Dear  Brother  Bolles, 

*'  I  wrote  to  you,  directed  to  the  care  of  Rev.  G.  F. 
Davis,  Hartford,  Connecticut,  intended  for  the  Board 
at  its  last  meeting  in  that  city ;  but  I  suppose  it  did 
not  come  to  hand,  as  I  see  no  notice  of  it  in  the  pro- 
ceedings. 

"  I  am  gratified  to  find   you  had  so  full  a  meeting ; 
but  regret  to  see  so  gieat  a  deficit  in  the  receipts  into 


132  MEHitoms  Of 

the  mission  fund's.     The  resolve  to  raise  $100,000  witi 
fail  by  a  considerable"  amount.     Alas  ! 

"  The  bible  question  is  an  important  one.  I  pre- 
Bume  it  will  be  advisable  to  foiin  a  Baptist  American' 
Bible  Society  or  some  plan  equivalent.  Perhaps  so- 
cieties formed  for  the  purpose,  to  send  up  their  funds 
to  the  treasurer  of  the  Board,  would-  answer,  without 
incurring  the  expense  of  a  national  society.  I  hope 
the  brethren  white  together,  came  to  some  conclusion 
what  would  be  ultimately  best  for  the  denomination 
to  do.  I  am  inclined  to  think  it  would  be  best  (if 
it  could  be  so)  for  the  A.  B.  Society  to  be  restrictecl 
to  the  distribution  of  the  English  bible,  and  then  let 
every  Foreign  Mission  Society  provide  for  their  owa 
translations.       *       *       * 

"  Our  late  state  Convention  was  a  very  pleasant 
meeting.  We  feel  much  encouraged.  The  interest 
taken  in  that  section  in  our  operations,  was  far  greater 
than  we  anticipated.  I  think  the  dagon  of  opposition 
is  crumbling  before  the  ark  of  benevolent  effort.  Our 
funds  have  been  enlarged.  The  resolution  of  the  A. 
B.  S.  has  brouei^ht  us  in  a  considerable  amount  for  the 
publication  of  the  Burman  bible.  At  our  last  yeat's- 
Convention,  it  was  resolved  that  we  would  make  an 
effort  to  raise  $3000,  to  aid  the  raising  of  the  $100,000 
resolved  on  at  Richmond.  This  resolve  has  been  re- 
deemed, including  the  sums  sent  up  for  the  Bible 
cause,  almost  doubled  !  Our  treasurer  reports  since 
last  Convention,  between  5  and  6000  dollars. 

"A  project  to  build  a  college  (in  our  t0A\Ti)  ha& 
been  in  agitation  for  some  time.  This  project  was 
presented  to  the  Convention  for  their  patronage,  &c, 
and  it  was  received  with  peculiar  pleasure,  and  the 
necessary  measures  taken  for  carrying  it  forward  to 


JESSE  MERCETl.  133 

completion.  Something  like  $60,000  are  pledged,  at 
least  proposed  to  be  raised  for  it,  already-  Two 
agents  are  appointed  to  raise  the  funds  for  its  accom- 
plishment. I  hope  it  will  go  on  now,  welL  Sunday- 
Schools  begin  to  be  more  patronized  in  our  state,  and 
measures  were  taken  at  our  late  meeting  to  further 
them.  I  think  a  Baptist  Sunday  School  Union  would 
be  of  great  usefulness  to  our  churches.  I  am  not  op- 
posed to  unite  on  common  ground  with  the  Pedoes ; 
but  I  feel  opposed  to  the  inference  whkh  must  be 
made  by  every  child  of  common  sense,  from  thfi  re- 
striction not  to  publish  any  thing  but  wliat  all  agree 
in,  which  will  be,  that  those  things  not  pMished  and 
taught  are  of  no  importance. 

"  We  greatly  need  a  Sunday  school  library,  from 
which  a  supply  could  be  had  everywhere,  and  at 
any  time. 

"  I  hope  the  brethren  are  in  health,  and  that  the 
work  of  the  Lord  al^ounds  and  prospers  in  their 
hands. 

"With  sentiments  of  brotherly  love,  I  am,  dear 
^Drother,  yours  and  theirs  in  the  Lord. 

Jesse  IVLerceb." 

TS9  the  same. 

'*  Waskivglon,  Oct.  l^h,  1833. 
"**Dear  Brother  Boi«les-, 

"  The  circular  of  Brother  Ma;lcom  did  not  I'each  me 
timely  for  the  session  of  our  Association;  but  we  had 
just  published  it  in  the  paper,  and  we  anticipated  it  in 
our  proceedings.  I  had  hoped  the  churches  would, 
notwithstanding  the  pecuniary  embarrassments  of  the 
<!Ountry,  have  sent  up  an  increased  amount  for  foreign 


134  MEMOIRS  OP 

missions.  This  they  did;  at  least  the  amount  sent 
up  for  the  several  objects  before  the  body,  was  greater 
somewhat  than  in  previous  years ;  near  $3000.  I  of- 
fered a  resolution,  stating  the  duty  of  the  churches 
to  increase  their  efforts  to  sustain  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board  in  its  operations.  In  the  argument,  the  embar- 
rassments of  the  Board  were  stated,  when  a  motion  was 
made  to  test  the  feelings  of  the  members  in  reference 
to  the  resolution  ;  and  which  would  be  a  specimen  of 
what  might  be  looked  for  from  the  churches  next  year. 
In  caiTying  out  this  motion,,  the  members  present  sub- 
scribed to  be  paid  next  session,  $1200,  The  pastors 
of  churches  promised  to  endeavor  to  provoke  the 
brethren  to  imitation  in  this  work.  It  was  hoped 
$5000  might  be  brought  up  to  the  next  meeting.  But 
I  would  not  have  the  Board  rely  on  it, 

"  When  Brother  Maclay,  agent  for  the  A.  &  F.  B. 
Society  was  with  us,  the  church  and  friends  at  this 
place  subscribed  over  $700  to  be  paid  in  three  annu- 
al instalments  :  one  third  of  that  sum  we  sent  up  to 
the  Association,  and  $366  for  foreign  missions.  Not 
to  praise  ourselves,  but  if  all  the  churches  would  thus 
show  their  faith  by  their  works,  the  cause  would  not 
be  hindered  or  retarded.  I  can  but  hope  from  another 
cause.  The  Lord  has  in  many  places  poured  out  his 
Holy  Spirit  in  a  copious  manner  on  the  churches,  and 
an  increase  of  between  six  and  seven  hundred  has 
been  added  to  the  churches  in  our  associational 
bounds.  From  these  we  may  look  for  some  fruit, 
which,  as  the  apostle  says,  may  abound  to  their  ac- 
count. But  there  is  a  cause  vfhich  will  for  some  yeai-s 
hinder,  or  render  small  the  amount  which  otherwise 
might  be  afforded  to  the  foreign  cause.  That  is  the 
raising  and  endowing  our  university.     This  is  a  grce^t 


JESSE    MfiRCBR.  13» 

work,  and  will  absorb  the  means  of  many  of  our  lib- 
eral brethren ;  and  many  will  think  they  cannot  do 
any  thing  more  than  what  they  have  promised  to  do 
for  that  institution,  for  years  ;  as  the  subscriptions  are 
taken  for  three  or  five  years.  Anti-ism,  too,  prevails 
much  in  the  western  part  of  our  state.  Churches 
and  Associations  rent  and  toni  to  pieces,  as  you  have 
seen  in  the  Index.  I  hope,  however,  it  has  reached 
its  acme,  and  is  now  ready  to  take  its  downward  aim, 
and  may  tumble  much  faster  than  it  arose,  I  may  be 
deceived  in  this,  as  some  think  pride  and  covetous- 
ness  are  its  foundations  ;  if  so,  they  are  strong  pillars, 
and  will  be  hard  to  break.  We  have  met,  in  the 
providence  of  God,  with  a  severe  trial.  One  of  our 
Professors  elect,  a  young  and  promising  man,  son  of 
our  brother  Col.  A.  Janes,  has  been  taken  to  a  world 
unknown.  He  had  been  converted  hopefully  to  God 
while  at  Franklin  College,  and  united  with  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Athens,  some  three  or  four  years  ago. 
He,  by  divine  help,  was  enabled  to  withstand  all  the 
buffetings  of  a  college  life,  and  came  out  with  the 
Jirst  degree.  But  the  Lord  did  it,  and  we  must  be 
*  dumb  with  silence.'  This,  though  not  to  be  placed 
side  with  your  trial  in  the  death  of  the  lamented 
Knowles,  yet  is  of  the  same  cast,  and  gives  us  a  simi- 
lar shock.  I  should  like  to  be  informed  what  is  the 
prospect  of  the  Christian  Review.  Is  if  likely  to  be 
sustained  1  It  would  be  of  service  to  it,  if  it  could 
be  known  as  early  as  possible.  The  present  suspense 
holds  some  back,  who  would  subscribe  if  they  could 
be  assured  it  would  be  continued.  The  eleventh 
number  is  just  received.  I  have  not  had  time  to  look 
it  over.  Such  a  work  will  commend  itself  to  the 
thinking  mind. 


136  MEMOIRS  OF 

*'  I  have  reflected  on  the  operations  of  the  Ameri- 
can and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  and  have  thought  it 
might  do  the  foreign  mission  cause  an  unintentional 
injury.  The  causes  which  gave  that  institution  birth 
are  very  exciting  to  Baptist  minds,  and  will  lead  ma- 
ny to  do  under  the  excitement  of  the  moment,  more 
than  they  ought  to  do,  all  things  considered.  I  pressed 
this  consideration  on  the  mind  of  brother  Maclay 
when  here.  From  this  view,  I  am  of  opinion  that  the 
A.  &  F.  B.  S.  should  bring  all  their  energies  to  bear 
on  the  Burman  bible  cause  for  years  to  come.  This 
should  be  the  all  absorbing  cause  with  us  in  the  bible 
cause.  As  the  Board  last  spring  were  pleased  to 
continue  me  in  the  President's  chair,  I  feel  guilty  as  it 
regards  communicating  with  them.  I  have  this  apolo- 
gy; the  paper  informs  the  Board  of  all  the  important 
matters  of  this  country,  and  leaves  little  for  private 
correspondence ;  but  this  does  not  excuse  my  own 
mind.  You  will  present  this  to  the  Board,  and  give 
them  the  kindest  affections  of  my  heart,  as  brethren 
in  the  cause  of  Christ  our  Lord  and  master.  In  the 
execution  of  the  work  of  universal  benevolence,  faith 
and  patience  must  have  their  perfect  work,  I  hope 
and  pray  the  Lord  may  sustain  us  all  in  our  united 
labors  of  love  ;  but  in  particular,  those  who  are  at 
the  windlass,  '  holding  the  rope.' 

"  My  health  has  been  feeble  this  summer,  much  in- 
terrupted by  diarrhoea,  and  sometimes  rather  severe. 
At  present,  through  mercy,  in  better  health.  May 
health  and  blessinors  attend  the  members  of  the  Board 
and  all  friends. 

"  I  am,  dear  Brother,  yours  and  theirs, 
''for  Jesus  Christ's  sake, 

"  Jesse  Mercer." 


SliSSE  Merce'su  137 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Mr.  Mercer's  connexion  wilh  the  Georgia  AsBOciation. — ExtracU 
from  his  Ciiculor  Letters. — Connexion  wilh  the  General  Com- 
mittee.— Baptist  Slate  Convention. 

The  preceding  pages  exhibit  a  record  (imperfect 
indeed  in  many  respects)  of  Mr,  Mercer's  labors  as  a 
preacher  and  pastor :  it  is  now  proposed  to  give  a 
more  particular  and  systematic  view  of  his  services  as 
connected  with  the  operations  of  several  important 
religious  bodies  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  as 
contribute  to  the  support  of  some  of  the  most  promi- 
nent benevolent  plans  of  the  age.  These  sersuces 
were  varied,  efficient,  and  useful,  and  established  for 
liim  a  strong  claim  upon  the  affectionate  and  grateful 
remembrance  of  the  fiiends  of  Zion. 

For  a  long  series  of  years,  his  name  and  influence 
were  identified  with  most  of  the  prominent  opei^tions 
of  the  Georgia  Association.  This  body  was  organized 
in  1784,  according  to  Mr.  Mercer's  History  of  the  As- 
sociation ;  though  Mr.  Sherwood,  in  his  manuscript 
History  of  Georgia  Baptists,  dates  its  formation  a  year 
later.  At  its  organization,  it  embraced  some  five  or 
six  churches ;  but  so  rapidly  did  it  inci'ease,  that  as 
early  as  1792,  it  numbered  fifty-six  churches.  From 
its  first  origin,  it  has  been  much  distinguished  for  the 
piety  and  ability  of  its  members,  the  wisdom  of  its 
counsels,  and  the  readiness  and  efliciency  with  which 
it  has  sustained  liberal  and  useful  measures  for  the 
advancement  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  It  has  been 
referred  to  as  a  kind  of  model  at  the  organization  of 
most  of  the  other  Associations  in  the  state ;  its  opin- 


138  MEMOIRS    OF 

ions  have  been  widely  circulated  and  generally  re- 
spected ;  it  has  dismissed  a  multitude  of  churches 
from  time  to  time,  to  aid  in  the  formation  of  other 
similar  bodies  ;  reared  up  in  its  bounds  many  able 
and  successful  ministers,  who  have  gone  forth  to  laboi' 
in  other  regions  in  our  southern  country ;  and  secured 
for  itself  (through  God's  favor)  the  reputation  of  be- 
ing, on  the  whole,  one  of  the  most  respectable  and 
useful  Associations  in  the  United  States.  But  it  is 
most  evident,  to  all  acquainted  with  its  history,  that 
much  of  its  respectability  and  usefulness  is  to  be  at- 
tributed to  the  commanding  influence  of  IMr.  Mercer. 
He  was  present  at  its  formation,  (though  then  but  a 
lad;)  not  long  after  his  connexion  with  the  church, 
he  appeared  as  a  delegate ;  and  from  that  time  till 
1839,  when  he  was  prevented  by  sickness,  he  regu- 
larly attended  its  annual  meetings.  From  1795,  till 
the  session  of  1816,  he  generally  officiated  as  the 
Clerk  of  the  body  ;  at  the  session  of  the  last  named 
year,  he  was  chosen  Moderator,  an  office  to  which  he 
was  uniformly  re-elected  till  1839.  His  name  was 
generally  attached  to  the  most  important  committees, 
and  many  of  the  ablest  reports  presented  from  time  to 
time  to  the  body,  were  from  his  pen.  The  Circular 
Letters  of  1801,  1806,  1811, 1816,  and  1821,  were  pre- 
pared by  him.  They  imbody  much  valuable  instruc- 
tion, particularly  on  matters  connected  with  the  dis- 
cipline and  order  of  the  church  of  Christ,  and  the 
practical  duties  of  christians ;  and  some  of  them  are 
written  with  great  force  and  ability. 

In  the  discussion  of  all  weighty  and  difficult  sub- 
jects, he  generally  took  a  prominent  part,  and  it  is 
believed  that  neither  in  the  Georgia  Association,  nor 
in  scarcely  any  other  important. religious  body  of  our 


JBSSB    MERCER.  139 

denomination,  with  which  he  has  been  connected, 
would  the  members  present  be  willing  to  decide  upon 
any  prominent  question  or  measure,  without  ascer- 
taining the  opinion  of  Mr.  Mercer.  Hardly  any  ques- 
tion could  arise,  uj^on  which  he  had  not  reflected 
deeply,  and  upon  which  he  was  not  prepared  to  pour 
forth  the  light  of  sound  instiuction  and  cogent  argu- 
ment. Ocqasionally,  l;o  displayed  in  discussion  un- 
common, and  even  surprising  stren'gth.  Some  difficult 
and  unexpected  subject  would  perhaps  be  brought 
up  during  the  progress  of  business,  which  would  call 
forth  in  protracted  debate,  the  resources  of  the  ablest 
brethren.  At  a  suitable  time,  the  venerable  Modera- 
tor would  call  some  brother  to  the  chair,  and  with  a 
meek  and  childlike  air,  step  forth  to  give  his  opinion. 
All  would  be  attention  and  silence,  for  every  one  felt 
that  a  wise  man  was  about  to  speak.  On  such  occa- 
sions, he  was  seldom  less  than  interesting  and  in- 
structive ;  and  sometimes  he  would  rise  to  a  height 
and  power  of  argument  and  illustration,  that  would 
enchain  the  mind  of  every  listener,  and  bear  down  all 
opposition.  The  intricacies  of  the  subject  would  give 
way  to  his  close  and  lucid  expositions ;  each  promi- 
nent point  would  be  brought  out  to  view  in  the  light 
of  plain  and  convincing  demonstration  ;  leaving  all  to 
admire,  at  the  same  time  that  they  would  generally 
yield  to  his  opinions,  the  strength  of  his  mind,  the 
clearness  of  his  -vIqws,  the  richtiess  of  his  resources ; 
and  in  doubt  upon  what  field  to  consider  him  the 
greatest,  whether  in  the  pulpit  at  his  favored  times, 
expounding  the  deep  mysteries  of  the  gospel,  or  on 
the  floor  of  discussion,  clearing  away  the  intricacies 
and  unfolding  the  merits  of  difficult  and  important 
subjects. 


140  MEMOIRS    of 

A  circumstance  is  now  present  to  the  wnter's 
mind,  which  may  serv^e  as  a  pleasant  illustration  of 
the  estimation  in  which  Mr.  Mercer's  views  and  in- 
struction w^ere  generally  held  at  important  meetings 
for  religious  deliberation  and  counsel.  It  occurred  at 
a  ministers'  meeting.  Some  weighty  subject  had  been 
before  the  body  for  a  considerable  time,  and  many  of 
the  brethren  had  presented  their  views.  At  length  a 
pious  and  worthy  brother  rose  up,  and  in  his  honest 
and  simple-hearted  way,  observed,  "  Well,  I  now 
move  that  Brother  Mercer  give  us  his  views  on  the 
subject,'^and  that  the  question  then  be  put  without  any 
further  debate,"  seeming  to  intimate  that  it  would 
be  improper  for  the  question  to  be  taken  until  the 
Gamaliel  of  the  meeting  had  expressed  his  opinion, 
and  that  after  he  should  speak,  little  more  of  import- 
ance could  well  be  said. 

As  the  Moderator  of  the  Georgia  Association,  and 
it  might  be  also  said,  as  the  presiding  officer  of  every 
body  where  he  was  called  to  act  in  that  character,  he 
performed  his  duties  with  much  correctness  and  dig- 
nified propriety.     He  was  familiar  with  the  ordinary 
rules  of  debate  and  business ;  he  seldom  lost  sight  of 
the  proper  point  amidst  protracted  discussion,  and  the 
intricacies  of  substitutes  and  amendments ;  and  with- 
out urging  business  forward  in  undue  haste,  he  sel- 
dom allowed  it  to  drag  along  to  the  useless  consump- 
tion of  time.     In  the  various  b(5dies  where  he  pre- 
sided, particularly  in  his  more  advanced  years,  a  care- 
fill  observer  would  more  naturally  think  of  him  as  an 
affectionate,  grave,  and  venerable  patriarch,  seated  in 
the  midst  of  kind  and  respectful  children,  securing 
attention  and  order  by  the  strong  hold  which  he  had 
upon  their  love  and  veneration,  than  as  a  person  in- 


JESSE    MERCER.  141 

vested  by  ballot  with  official  dignity,  squaring  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  members  by  the  nice  and  rigid  formal- 
ities of  parliamentary  rules. 

His  circular  letters  have  been  referred  to :  a 
more  particular  notice  of  them  may  be  proper,  and  a 
few  extracts  would,  no  doubt,  be  highly  acceptable  to 
the  pious  reader.  The  first  complains  of  a  worldly- 
minded  spirit  amongst  the  churches,  the  want  of  a 
tender,  uniting,  brotherly  affection,  and  urges  the 
brethren  to  a  practical  improvement  of  a  few  weighty 
and  eng;a.<r'ij)g-  thoug'hts.  The  letter  is  short,  and  the 
greater  portion  of  it  is  here  subjoined. 

"  Dear  brethren,  we  fear  you  have  drunk  deeply 
into  the  intoxicating  spirit  of  the  world,  by  which 
you  have  conceived  an  eager  lust  for  the  flesh-pots 
in  Egypt,  or  an  anxious  solicitude  after  the  flat- 
tering fooleries,  vain  fashions  and  carnal  pleasures 
of  this  wicked  world,  which  children  and  fools  ad- 
mire,  and  by  which  you  have  greatly  lost  that  meek, 
quiet  and  harmless  spirit  which  abode  in  Christ,  and 
which  should  designate  you  as  the  children  of  God 
in  the  midst  of  this  adulterous  and  sinful  generation. 

"  Brotherly  love  too,  we  fear,  abounds  too  much  in 
word  and  tongue ;  while  you  foster  in  your  hearts 
that  ungodly,  nay,  that  unchristian  disposition  of  he 
ye  clothed  and  he  ye  filled,  and  at  the  same  time  close 
all  the  bowels  of  mercy  towards  those  objects  of  com- 
passion which  are  placed  in  your  way  as  proofs  of 
your  love  to  God. 

*'  Amongst  many  of  you,  a  friendly,  uniting  and  en- 
dearing spirit  is  too  little  cultivated  ;  you  often  meet 
each  other  with  an  air  of  as  cold  indifference,  as  you 


142  MExMOIRS  OF 

do  a  wicked  neighbor.  It  lias  become  extremely  dif- 
ficult to  distinguish  you  as  a  body,  or  as  individuals, 
from  a  suiTounding  wicked  world,  except  in  a  few 
formalities.  The  phrase  hrotlier  and  sister  is  kept  up 
in  some  sort;  but  that  too  has  lost  its  savor,  having 
become  formal,  it  communicates  little  or  no  christian 
affection.  We  fear  you  are  too  great  strangers  to 
the  spirit  of  prayer  and  earnest  travail  for  the  out- 
pouring of  the  Spirit  of  God  from  on  high,  and  the 
coming  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  wath  power. 

"  And  in  this  time  of  Jacob's  trouble,  instead  of 
being  helpers  one  of  another,  bearing  each  other's 
burdens,  and  gi'ieved  for  the  affliction  of  Joseph,  eve- 
ry one  pulleth  away  his  shoulder  from  the  burden  of 
his  brother,  and  careth  almost,  if  not  altogether,  alone 
for  his  own  individual,  and  perhaps  carnal  concerns, 
while  the  things  of  the  blessed  Jesus  and  his  people 
are  out  of  sight,  or  looked  on  with  indifference. 

"  Brethren,  these  tilings  ought  not  to  he  so.  And 
that  they  may  not  be  so,  we  call  upon  you  in  the  most 
pressing  manner,  to  seriously  consider,  and  make  a 
pious  and  practical  improvement  on  the  following 
engaging  thoughts. 

"  1.  View  your  high  calling;  with  which  nothing 
on  earth  can  vie.  That  calling  which  separates  a 
man  from  the  mass  of  his  equals,  and  seats  him  on  a 
throne  of  elated  glory,  and  puts  the  royal  ensign  in 
liis  hand,  falls  infinitely  below  that  calling  of  which 
you  are  gracious  partakers ;  and  by  which  you  have 
been  taken  from  the  mass  of  sinners,  your  guilty 
equals,  and  translated  into  the  kingdom  of  God's  dear 
Son,  made  heirs  with  Christ,  and  happy  expectants 
of  a  blessed  immortality.     O  delightful  thought !    O 


JESSE    MERCER.  143 

glonous  e?Lpectation !  Never,  O  never  lose  sight  of 
it,  but  keep  your  eye  intent  on  it  while  you  run  for 
the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 

"  2.  Be  mindful  of  the  designs  of  gi'ace  through 
you.  Remember  that  God  has  purposed  by  you  to 
make  known  to  principalities  and  powers  the  exceed- 
ing riches  of  his  wisdom ;  and  therefore,  you  are 
called  to  be  instruments  of  his  glory  ;  to  appear  on 
the  same  theatre ;  to  engage  in  the  same  exercises, 
and  to  act  on  the  same  exalted  plan  of  action  with 
himself,  in  the  accomplishment  of  those  things  in 
which  very  intimately  consist  the  glory  and  perfection 
of  saints,  the  glory  and  joy  of  angels,  the  glory  and 
honor  of  God,  and,  in  short,  the  glory  and  excellency 
of  all  heaven.  O,  amazing,  stupendous^  and  ineffable 
grace  !  That  will  delight  to  take  such  futile  creatures 
as  sinful  men,  deformed  with  wickedness,  absorbed  in 
darkness,  emaciated  with  wo  ;  brands  of  the  burning, 
all  vile  with  pollution,  and  fit  only  to  be  engines  of 
perfidy  for  the  devil ;  and  make  them  the  very  means 
by  which  he  will  accomplish  such  all  important  events. 
O  the  depths  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and 
knowledge  of  God!  How  unsearchable  are  his  judg- 
vients,  and  his  icays  past  finding  out  !  Let  a  sense  of 
these  things  at  once  humble  and  exalt  you,  fill  you 
with  pious  ginef  and  ineff'able  joy,  and  with  unfeigned 
delight,  not  only  to  know,  but  to  do  the  will  of  God 
unreservedly. 

"  3.  Earnestly  anticipate  that  weight  of  glory  which 
God  has  prepared  for  you,  and  for  which  he  is  keep- 
ing you  through  fiith  unto  salvation.  Know  ye,  that 
here  you  have  no  continuing  city ;  but  are  as  sojourn- 
ers turned  in  for  a  night ;  your  promised  land,  your 
everlasting    portion,    your  final   rest,   your  heavenly 


144  MEMOIRS    OP 

home,  are  all  before ;  let  your  hearts  be  also  there  ; 
and  with  steadiness  pursue  the  happy  road  till  you  in 
person  arrive  at  the  mount  of  God.  Let  nought  be- 
low the  sun  beguile  your  cautious  feet.  Let  nothing 
court  your  stay  on  this  side  Jordan,  save  to  do  the  will 
of  God,  which  you  cannot  do  in  heaven.  And  be 
ready,  like  laboring  children  at  sunset,  to  go  home  at 
the  call  of  your  heavenly  Father.  To  whose  gracious 
guidance,  faithfiilness  and  love,  we  commend  you 
wishing  you  an  abundance  of  peace  with  eternal  glo- 
ry, through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen." 

The  second  circular  address  written  in  1806,  is  a 
brief  though  excellent  appeal  to  the  churches,  for  the 
purpose  of  urging  them  to  promptness  and  activity 
in  the  execution  of  discipline. 

After  illustrating  several  points  in  a  forcible  and 
scriptural  manner,  the  writer  concludes  with  the  fol- 
lowing spirited  and  practical  appeal. 

**  Suffer  no  disorderly  persons  to  pass  unnoticed 
amongst  you.  Adopt  just  measures  to  induce,  or  if 
that  cannot  be  done,  to  enforce  the  attendance  of  your 
members  in  your  conferences ;  that  you  may  know 
their  standing,  and  lead  them  to  greater  degrees  of 
glory  and  virtue.  It  is  a  time  of  great  worldly  gran- 
deur and  extravagance.  Look  to  yourselves ;  take 
heed  lest  there  be  amongst  you  some  hurtful  mixture, 
— some  undue  conformity  to  the  world — some  root  of 
bitterness — some  cursed  thing  in  the  camp,  as  the 
cause  of  the  present  painful  complaints.  As  saith 
the  apostle,  ive  stand  in  douht  of  you  lest  we  have  he- 
stowed  on  you  lahor  in  vain,  and  commending  our- 
selves to  your  consciences  in  the  sight  of  God,  we 


JESSE    MERCER.  145 

make  the  following  inquiries.  When  the  people  of 
the  world  are  ambitiously  seeking  honor  one  of  another, 
are  you  not  imshing  for  popularity  too  1  When  they 
are  at  frequent  and  gi'eat  expenses  to  support  a  grand 
parade,  do  you  not  increase  your  bills  to  be  like 
them  ]  When  they  change  their  modes  of  dress  do 
not  some  of  you  alter  yours  too  1  When  their  wo- 
men clothe  themselves  so  thinly  that  the  shame  of 
their  nakedness  does  appear,  do  not  some  of  yours 
clothe  themselves  or  their  daughters,  in  the  attire  of 
an  harlot  ]  If  to  these  inquiries  you  answe%  no  :  then 
we  ask,  whence  are  the  ensigns  of  mere  grandeur  in 
your  houses  ]  The  intemperate  use,  or  ratlier  abuse, 
of  the  conveniencies,  but  especially  the  luxuries  of 
life  1  The  frequenting  wicked,  though  called  polite^ 
assemblies  and  other  places  of  public  resort,  mixed 
with  the  rabble  or  the  guilty  great  of  the  w^orld  1 
WHience  is  it  that  there  are  among  your  women,  hare 
elbows — naked  arms — exposed  breasts — sliornhedidiS — 
rufled,  or  shamefully  tight  dresses,  connected  with  a 
lio-ht,  airy  deportment,  and  vain,  carnal  conversation  ] 
"  Dear  brethren,  these  things  ought  not  to  be  once 
named  among  you  as  becometli  saints  :  But  be  ye 
rather  transformed  by  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Cleanse  yourselves  from  these  vanities,  and  keep  your 
garments  unspotted  from  the  world.  Search  the  scrip- 
tures, that  you  may  know  what  the  will  of  the  Lord 
is,  with  full  purpose  of  heart  to  do  whatsoever  he  has 
commanded  you.  *****  You  profess  to  be  Bible 
Baptists ; — be  Bible  Christians.  Let  the  spirit  be  in 
you  which  also  was  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  let  the  orna- 
ment of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit  be  in  your  eyes,  what 
it  is  in  the  sight  of  God,  of  great  price  ;  rather  than 
the  baubles  and  gewgaws  of  the  world.     Be  harmless 


146  MEMOIRS    OF 

and  like  the  Redeemer,  separate  from  sinnera ;  that 
you  may  be  perfect  and  entire,  wanting  nothing.  And 
so  an  abundant  entrance  shall  be  ministered  to  you 
into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ.  Now,  unto  him  that  is  able  to  do  ex- 
ceeding abundantly  above  all  that  we  can  ask  or  think, 
according  to  the  power  that  worketh  in  us,  unto  him 
be  glory  in  the  church,  by  Jesus  Christ  throughout  all 
ages,  world  without  end, — Amen." 

In  the  (Jircular  of  1811,  the  ^vriter,  in  a  very  pithy 
and  condensed  argument,  presents  his  reasons  for  re- 
garding the  administration  of  baptism  by  Pedobap- 
tists,  though  in  the  proper  mode,  as  invalid.  The 
author  first  lays  down  and  illustrates  the  following 
propositions : 

"  I.  The  Apostolic  Church,  continued  through  all 
ages  to  the  end  of  the  world,  is  the  only  true  Gospel 
Church. 

"  II.  Of  this  church,  Christ  is  the  only  Head,  and 
true  source  of  all  ecclesiastical  authority. 

"  III.  Gospel  ministers  are  servants  in  the  church, 
are  all  equal,  and  have  no  power  to  lord  it  over  the 
heritage  of  the  Lord." 

From  these  propositions,  satisfactorily  established, 
as  the  author  conceives,  he  draws  the  follo>ving  infer- 
ences, *'  as  clear  and  certain  trutlis.^^ 

*'  I.  That  all  churches  and  ministers,  who  originated 
since  the  apostles,  and  not  successively  to  them,  are 
not  in  gospel  order ;  and  therefore  cannot  be  acknow- 
ledged .as  such. 

"  II.  That  all,  who  have  been  ordained  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  without  the  knowledge  and  call  of  the 


JESSE    MERCER.  147 

cliurcli,  by  popes,  councils,  &c.,  are  the  creatures  of 
those  who  constituted  them,  and  not  the  servants  of 
Christ,  or  his  church,  and  therefore  have  no  right  to 
administer  for  them. 

"  III.  That  those  who  have  set  aside  the  discipline 
of  the  gospel,  and  have  given  law  to,  and  exercised 
dominion  over,  the  church,  are  usurpers  over  the  place 
and  office  of  Christ,  are  against  him ;  and  therefore 
may  not  be  accepted  in  their  offices. 

"  IV.  That  they  who  administer  contrary  to  their 
own,  or  the  faith  of  the  gospel,  cannot  administer  for 
God ;  since  without  the  gospel  faith,  they  have  nothing 
to  minister;  and  without  their  own,  he  accepts  no 
service  ;  therefore  the  administrations  of  such  are  un- 
warrantable impositions  in  any  way. 

"  Our  reasons  therefore  for  rejecting  baptism  by 
immersion,  when  administered  by  Pedobaptist  minis- 
ters are, 

"  I.  That  they  are  connected  with  churches  clearly 
out  of  the  apostolic  succession,  and  therefore  clearly 
out  of  the  apostolic  commission. 

*'  II.  That  they  have  derived  their  authority,  by  or- 
dination from  the  bishops  of  Rome,  or  from  individu- 
als who  have  taken  it  on  themselves  to  give  it. 

"  III.  That  they  hold  a  higher  rank  in  the  churches 
than  the  apostles  did,  are  not  accountable  to,  and  of 
consequence  not  triable  by  the  church ;  but  are  ame- 
nable only  to,  or  among  themselves. 

"  IV.  That  they  all,  as  we  think,  administer  contra- 
ry to  the  pattern  of  the  gospel,  and  some,  where  occa- 
sion requires,  will  act  contrary  to  their  own  professed 
faith.  Now  as  we  know  of  none  implicated  in  this 
case  but  are  in  some  or  all  of  the  above  defects,  either 
of  which  we  deem  sufficient  to  disqualify  for  meet 


148  MEMOIRS    OF 

gospel  administration,  therefore  we  hold  their  admin- 
istrations invalid." 

Upon  the  subject  of  apostolic  succession,  alluded 
to  in  the  above  extracts,  the  author  makes  a  few  addi- 
tional remarks. 

**  But  if  it  should  be  said,  that  the  apostolic  succes- 
sion cannot  be  ascertained,  and  then  it  is  proper  to 
act  without  it ;  we  say  that  the  loss  of  the  succession 
can  never  prove  it  futile,  nor  justify  any  one  out  of  it. 
The  Pedobaptists,  by  their  own  histories,  admit  they 
are  not  of  it ;  hut  we  do  not,  and  shall  think  ourselves 
entitled  to  the  claim,  until  the  reverse  be  clearly 
shown.  And  should  any  think  authority  derived  from 
the  Mother  of  Harlots,  sufficient  to  qualify  to  ad- 
minister a  gospel  ordinance,  they  will  be  so  charitable 
as  not  to  condemn  us  for  preferring  that  derived  from 
Christ.  And  should  any  still  more  absurdly  plead 
that  ordination  received  from  an  individual  is  suffi- 
cient ;  we  leave  them  to  show  what  is  the  use  of  ordi- 
nation, and  why  it  exists.  If  any  think  an  administra- 
tion will  Suffice  which  has  no  pattern  in  the  gospel, 
they  will  suffer  us  to  act  according  to  the  divine  order 
with  impunity.  And  if  it  should  be  said  that  faith  in 
the  subject  is  all  that  is  necessary,  we  beg  leave  to 
require  it  where  the  Scriptures  do,  that  is,  every- 
where^'* 

In  the  Circular  of  1816,  the  writer  takes  occasion 
to  urge  upon  the  chirrches  some  of  those  important 
duties  which  arise  from  their  social  compact  as  fellow- 
citizens  with  the  saints,  and  members  of  the  same  re- 
deemed family.  Some  extracts  from  this  letter  will  be 
found  in  a  subsequent  part  of  the  volume. 


JESSE  Mercer.  149 

The  Circular  Letter  of  1821,  is  the  longest  and  the 
fnost  elaborate  of  the  series.  It  contains  many  ster- 
ling thoughts,  but  space  carmot  be  afforded  for  a  full 
analysis,  nor  for  many  lengthy  extracts.  The  subject 
is  the  Unity  and  Dependenx'e  of  the  Churches  of  Je^ 
sus  Christ ;  which  the  author  thus  defines.  "  By  the 
unity  of  the  churches,  we  mean  that  they  are  all  under 
one  head,  all  members  of  one  body :  and  by  depend- 
ence, that  necessary  connexion  which  forms  them  into 
the  same  body,  to  which  they  owe  their  greatest  com- 
petency for  practical  and  virtuous  excellence ;  and 
their  highest  felicity  in  perfection  and  beauty." 

From  the  practical  remarks  with  which  the  letter 
closes,  the  following  are  selected ; 

"  We  pray  you  to  walk  charitably  towards  those, 
who,  in  Christian  profession,  differ  from  you  in  faith 
or  practice.  And  though  you  cannot  reasonably  hold 
communion  with  them  at  the  Lord's  Table,  *  *  *  * 
yet,  dear  brethren,  we  exhort  and  admonish  you  to 
cany  yourselves  towards  them  as  Christian  professors  ; 
engage  with  them,  and  invite  them  to  engage  with 
you,  in  exercises  of  devotion  and  enterprises  of  use- 
fulness ;  go  with  them  freely  as  far  as  you  can  pre- 
serve a  good  conscience  and  the  fellowship  of  your 
brethren,  and  stop  where  you  must  according  to  the 
scriptures ;  evince  to  them  that  the  reason  why  you 
do  not  yield  an  entire  and  cheerful  compliance  with 
their  wishes  in  communion,  is  not  founded  in  preju- 
dice or  ill-will,  but  in  a  conscientious  regard  to  the 
views  you  entertain  of  truth  and  propriety  ;  extend  to 
them  your  brotherly  watch-care,  and  invite  theirs  over 
you ;  reprove  and  admonish  them  in  love  when  you 
overtake  them  in  a  fault,  and  endeavor  to  reclaim  in 


i56  Memoirs  or 

the  spirit  of  meekness ;  and  thus,  by  an  affectionate 
intercourse,  and  a  dispassionate,  free,  and  candid  in- 
terchange of  sentiments,  combined  with  a  friendly  use 
of  Christian  discipline,  lessen,  if  you  cannot  annihi- 
late, the  unhappy  differences  which  are  between  you 
and  them.  This  course,  accompanied  by  the  blessing 
of  God,  we  think  is  the  only  anchor  of  hope  for  the 
union  and  communion  of  the  present  contending  reli- 
gious denominations. 

'*  Furthermore,  brethren,  we  exhort  you  carefully 
to  cultivate  in  yourselves  views  of  extended  and  gen- 
eral usefulness.  Dismiss,  for  ever  banish  from  your 
hearts,  that  God-dishonoring  and  soul-starving  senti- 
ment, that  your  Christian  obligations  are  restricted  to 
the  church  to  which  you  in  particular  belong.  Re- 
collect that  *  what  the  Spirit  saith  to  the  churches,'  is 
bound  on  the  observance  of  '  him  that*  hath  an  ear.* 
Feel  as  you  ought  to  feel,  as  *  members  in  particular' 
of  the  whole  body  of  Christ,  and  bound  by  his  autho- 
rity in  the  same  ties  of  brotherly  love  to  all  and  to 
each  member  of  that  body  *  as  you  'have  ojjportunity 
to  do  good,'  and  *  always  abound  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  knowing  that  your  labor  shall  not  be  in  vain  in 
the  Lord.'  And  we  also  admonish  you  to  esteem 
very  highly,  as  your  most  gospel  attitude,  the  medi- 
um of  your  highest  privileges,  and  the  source  of  your 
most  extended  usefulness  on  earth,  your  associated 
union.  Here  you  are  '  like  a  company  of  horses  in 
Pharaoh's  chariots,'  and  *  terrible  as  an  army  with 
banners,'  prej^ared  for  united  and  povv'erful  effort. 
What  cannot  be  done  in  your  individual  capacity, 
may  receive  its  highest  accomplishment  in  your  asso- 
ciated union.  Divided  strength  is  weak,  but  united 
strength   is   pov/erful.     Do   not  treat  the  resolutions 


JE8SK    MEHO£R.  ISi 

ahd  advices  of  the  association  with  neglect  and  indif- 
ference, as  the  counsels  of  a  mere  *  advisory  body,' 
with  which  you  have  no  connexion,  but  as  decisions 
and  advices  of  your  own  body,  composed  of  your 
*  messengers,  who  are  the  glory  of  Christ.'  If  the 
counsels  of  the  association  are  consonant  with  the 
word  of  God,  you  are  bound  to  observe  and  obey 
them  on  Divine  authority,  as  well  as  from  the  bond 
of  union  which  holds  you  together  '  in  one.'  Study 
agreement,  and  endeavor  through  your  associated 
connexion,  to  come  at  a  uniform  practice  in  the  order 
of  your  religious  affairs.  Be  ready,  not  as  a  matter 
of  constraint,  'but  of  ready  mind,'  to  act  in  concert, 
like  the  churches  of  Macedonia,  of  whom  the  apostle 
bears  this  honorable  testimony,  that  '  they  are  willing 
of  themselves'  even  *  beyond  their  power,'  in  any  mat- 
ter of  general  utility,  whether  benevolent,  charitable, 
or  religious.  Attempt  whatsoever  God  in  his  word 
has  instituted  to  be  done  through  the  instrumentality 
of  his  church  on  earth,  and  fear  not.  Keep  in  mind 
you  are  not  alone  :  even  in  your  associated  body  you 
are  but  one  detachment  of  the  thousands  of  Israel's 
hosts.  The  strength  of  opposition  against  you  is  *  an 
arm  of  flesh ;'  but  with  you  is  the  Lord  your  God  to 
help  you  and  to  fight  your  battles.  And  what  may  be 
done  by  united  and  vigorous  effort  of  all  the  churches 
of  Christ  in  his  name,  will  never  be  known  until  the 
experiment  is  made ;  but  when  that  experiment  is 
made,  the  result  will  be,  that  the  whole  earth  will  be 
full  of  the  glory  of  God.  Let  each  heart  hail  the  day 
in  adding  a  double  Amen. 

"  Finally,   dear  brethren,    *  whatsoever  things    are 
true,  are  honest,  are  just,  are  pure,  are  lovely,  are  of 


152  MEMOIRS    OF 

good  report, — if  there  be  any  virtue,  if  there  be  any 
praise,  think  on  these  things.' 

"  And  may  '  the  God  of  all  grace,  who  hath  called 
us  unto  his  eternal  glory,  by  Jesus  Christ,  after  that 
ye  suffer  awhile,  make  you  perfect,  establish,  strength- 
en, settle  you  to  d®  his  will ;  to  whom  be  glory  and 
dominion  now  and  for  ever — 'Amen.'  " 

In  the  body  of  the  above  paragraphs,  the  author  had 
included,  in  a  long  parenthesis,  a  condensed  argument 
against  mixed  communion  ;  which  it  has  been  thought 
best  to  detach  from  its  original  connexion,  and  pre- 
sent by  itself.  He  urges  his  objections  to  mixed  com- 
rriunion  in  the  following  manner  : 

"  1.  Because  the  union  is  broken  and  the  depend- 
ence lost  between  you  and  them,  so  that  communion 
would  be  a  shadow,  without  any  proper  substance — 
too  pretensional  for  sacred  and  sincere  cluistianity. 
2.  Because  there  is  no  discipline  instituted  amongst 
the  denominations,  the  influence  of  which  can  preserve 
such  an  attempt  at  communion  from  the  grossest  im- 
positions and  wildest  disorders ;  and  of  consequence 
must  be  absurd,  until  some  regulation  be  established 
among  the  parties,  and  they  all  agree  *  to  walk  by  the 
same  rule,'  and  '  speak  the  same  thing.'  3.  Because 
you  and  they  are  not,  and  in  the  present  state  of  reli- 
gious affairs,  cannot  become,  members  together  of  the 
sartie  body,  which  is  a  capital  requisition  in  the  gospel 
to  a  meet  communion.  And,  4.  Because  the  princi- 
ples and  practices,  which  first  produced,  and  still  pro- 
long, the  difference  of  denominational  character  among 
professed  Christians,  are  so  heterodox  and  discordant, 


JESSE    MERCER.  153 

that  the  maintaining  of  the  one  is  of  necessary  conse- 
quence the  destruction  of  the  other.  To  attempt  com- 
munion in  such  a  state  of  things,  would  be  to  form  a 
religious  chaos,  and  to  promote  envy  and  strife  as  the 
legitimate  tendency.  This  may  be  exemplified  im- 
mediately by  reference  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism : 
if  the  Pedobaptists  establish  their  baptism  as  true, 
yours  is  absurd ;  but  if  yours  be  maintained  as  the 
gospel  ordinance,  then  theirs  is  no  baptism  at  all.  It 
must  then  be  improper  and  disloyal  to  attempt  com- 
munion until  these  discordant  principles  are  done 
away,  and  the  parties  conciliated  in  Christian  love 
and  union." 

It  is  now  something  more  than  forty  years,  since  an 
effort  was  made  to  combine  the  strength  of  the  denom- 
ination in  Georgia  for  vrise  and  benevolent  purposes. 
At  the  session  of  the  Georgia  Association  in  1800,  the 
following  interesting  resolution  was  adopted,  viz. : 
"  That  as  a  spirit  of  itineracy  has  inflamed  the  minds 
of  several  ministers,  who  are  desirous  to  enter  into 
some  resolutions  suitable  to  carry  into  effect  a  design 
of  travelling  and  preaching  the  gospel,  a  meeting  be, 
and  is  hereby  appoiniei  at  Powel's  Creek,  (Powelton) 
on  Friday  before  the  first  Sunday  in  May  next,  for 
that  purpose  ;  that  the  same  day  be  observed  as  a  day 
of  fasting  and  prayer  to  Almighty  God  for  prosperity 
on  the  design,  and  for  a  dispensation  of  every  new 
covenant  mercy  in  Christ  Jesus." 

This  proposition,  which  we  shall  soon  see,  resulted 
in  some  important  measures,  originated  with  Mr.  Mer- 
cer. In  accordance  with  the  appointment  of  the  As- 
sociation, the  meeting  was  held  at  Powelton,  and 
after  consultation  and  prayer  for  divine  direction,  a 

8 


154  MEMOIRS    OF 

letter  was  drawn  up  and  addressed  to  the  Association 
at  its  next  session,  which  **  called  the  attention  of  the 
Association  to  the  propriety  and  expediency  of  form- 
ing a  Missionary  Society  in  the  state,  for  the  purpose 
of  sending  the  gospel  amongst  the  Indians  bordering 
on  our  frontiers,  which  was  nnanimously  and  cordially 
afpr abated r  Thus  it  appears  that  our  early  fathers 
were  men  of  a  missionary  spirit. 

Another  ministerial  conference  was  held  at  Powel- 
ton  in  May,  1802,  to  deliberate  upon  the  subject  of  an 
Indian  Mission,  at  which  meeting  it  was  proposed  that 
a  General  Committee  of  the  Georgia  Baptists  should 
be  formed,  consisting  of  three  members  from  each 
Association  in  the  state ;  the  leading  object  of  which 
should  be  to  meet  and  confer  with  other  Christian  so- 
cieties, in  order  to  remove  differences,  and  if  possible, 
bring  about  a  more  general  and  close  union  of  real 
Christians  on  the  principles  of  eternal  truth."  The 
Georgia  Association,  at  its  next  session,  approved  of 
the  recommendation,  and  appointed  Elders  Marshall, 
Walker,  and  Mercer,  to  meet  that  Committee  at  Pow- 
elton  on  Saturday  before  the  first  Sabbath  in  May, 
1803.  At  that  time  and  place,  the  *'  General  Com- 
mittee of  Georgia  Baptists"  was  formed  by  some  eigh- 
teen ministers.  The  leading  objects  at  first  were  itin- 
erant preaching,  and  the  establishment  of  a  school  in 
the  Creek  nation  ;  though  at  their  next  annual  meet- 
ino-,  they  enlarged  their  designs,  and  resolved  upon 
measures  for  the  establishment  of  a  Baptist  College  in 
Georgia. 

The  legislature  of  the  state  refusing  to  grant  a  col- 
lege charter  to  the  Baptists,  the  General  Committee 
was  much  discouraged  and  crippled  in  the  prosecution 
of  its  benevolent  designs  :  still  it  continued  to  hold  its 


JESSE    MERCER.  155 

annual  meetings  for  several  years,  for  the  purpose  of 
devising  and  executing  liberal  plans  for  Zion's  en- 
largement. Speaking  of  the  subject  of  this  biogra- 
phy, says  Mr.  Sherwood,  "  he  was  a  master  spirit  in 
the  doings  of  the  General  Committee  from  1802  to  its 
dissolution  about  1810;  was  frequently  the  Secretary, 
always  in  attendance,  and  in  1805,  wrote  the  circular. 
In  this  he  overthrows  the  objections  against  the  efforts 
to  establish  a  college,  and  against  a  ministry  of  more 
improved  minds.  He  was  then  laboring  shoulder  to 
shoulder  with  Sanders  Walker,  Abraham  Marshall, 
James  Mathews,  Ross,  Bledsoe,  Talbot,  Holcomhe, 
Clay,  George  Franklin,  Benjamin  Mosely,  nnd  other 
choice  spirits,  the  fathers  of  the  denomination  in  the 
state,  men  friendly  to  missions  and  education  ;  but  of 
late  years  the  charge  has  been  publicly  made,  th;it 
missions  and  education  were  new  schemes,  and  that 
Jesse  Mercer,  in  patronizing  them,  had  abandoned  the 
scriptural  path,  and  the  doctrines  and  practice  of  those 
who  founded  and  nurtured  our  churches  in  early 
times." 

Our  sketch  of  Mr.  Mercer's  useful  sei^ices  would 
be  very  imperfect  without  referring  to  his  connexion 
with  the  "  Baptist  Convention  of  the  State  of  Geor- 
gia^^  The  genii  of  that  body  seems  to  have  been  a 
resolution  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Sherwood,  and  presented 
by  Charles  J.  Jenkins  to  the  Sarepta  Association  at 
its  session  in  1820,  and  which,  with  a  slight  amend- 
ment, was  adopted  in  the  following  words  :  "  Resolv- 
ed, that  we  suggest  for  our  own  consideration,  and 
respectfully  that  of  sister  associations  in  this  state,  the 
propriety  of  organizing  a  General  Meeting  of  Corres- 
pondence." The  Ocmulgee  Association  approved  of 
the  design,  and  appointed  messengers  to  meet  such 


156  MEMOIRS    OF 

brethren  as  might  be  delegated  from  other  bodies. 
The  Georgia  Association  also,  at  its  meeting  in  Octo- 
ber, 1821,  was  highly  favorable  to  such  an  organiza- 
tion, and  appointed  messengers.  The  brethren  ap- 
pointed by  the  two  last  named  bodies,  (the  Sarepta 
having  discovered  at  last  that  there  was  no  need  of 
such  a  meeting,  and  declining  to  send  messengers,) 
met  at  Powelton  in  June,  1822,  and  organized  them- 
selves in  a  formal  manner  as  "  The  General  Baptist 
Association  of  Georgia,"  and  adopted  a  constitution. 
In  1826,  the  constitution  was  so  modified  as  to  admit 
delegates  from  Auxiliary  Societies,  as  well  as  from 
Associations;  and  in  1828,  the  name  of  the  body  was 
altered  to  that  of  "  The  Baptist  Convention  of  the 
State  of  Georgia." 

The  eleventh  aiticle  of  the  Constitution  explains 
the  objects  of  the  body  ;  and  is  in  these  words  :  '*  The 
following  are  the  specific  objects  of  this  body,  viz.  : — 
1.  To  unite  the  influence  and  pious  intelligence  of 
Georgia  Baptists,  and  thereby  facilitate  their  union 
and  co-operation.  2.  To  form  and  encourage  plans 
for  the  revival  of  experimental  and  practical  religion 
in  the  state  and  elsewhere.  3.  To  aid  in  giving  ef- 
fect to  useful  plans  of  the  several  Associations.  4. 
To  afford  an  opportunity  to  those  who  may  conscien- 
tiously think  it  their  duty,  to  form  a  fund  for  the  edu- 
cation of  pious  young  men,  who  may  be  called  by  the 
Spirit,  and  their  churches,  to  the  Christian  ministry. 
5.  To  correspond  with  bodies  of  other  religious  de- 
nominations, on  topics  of  general  interest  to  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom,  and  to  promote  pious  and  useful 
education  jn  the  Baptist  denomination." 

The  Convention,  as  has  been  seen,  commenced  a 
very  feeble  body,  embracing  only  two  of  the  Associa- 


JESSE    MERCEK.  157 

tions  in  the  state,  (one  of  which  afterwards  withdrew  ;) 
and  its  designs  were  looked  upon  with  much  indiffer- 
ence by  a  lafge  portion  of  the  churches.  At  length 
it  encountered  the  most  determined  opposition,  and 
even  from  some  who  at  first  approved  of  its  plans, 
were  active  in  its  formation,  and  for  a  time  in  its  sub- 
sequent support.  But  it  has  gi'adually,  by  the  foster- 
ing care  of  heaven,  advanced  in  efficiency  and  num- 
bers, until  now  it  embraces  amongst  its  constituent 
members,  about  twelve  Associations,  besides  several 
respectable  Auxiliary  Societies.  Eternity  alone  will 
reveal  the  good  which  has  already  resulted,  and  is  yet 
to  result  from  the  labors  of  this  active  and  useful 
body ;  yet  it  might  not  be  improper,  in  this  connex- 
ion, to  glance  hastily  at  some  of  the  more  obvious 
fruits  of  its  exertions.  A  permanent  fund  of  about 
825,000  has  been  gathered  up  for  education  pui-poses  ; 
about  the  same  amount  has  been  collected  and  dis- 
bursed for  the  support  of  Foreign  Missions ;  a  con- 
siderable number  of  Domestic  Missionaries  have  been 
employed  in  destitute  sections  of  the  country,  by 
whom  an  amount  of  labor  has  been  perforaied  which 
would  require  the  constant  service  of  a  single  indi- 
vidual probably  twenty  years,  and  by  whose  instru- 
mentality many  churches  have  been  established  in  the 
upper,  western,  and  south-western  portions  of  the 
state.  Many  hundred  volumes  of  valuable  theologi- 
cal works  have  been  put  in  the  hands  of  our  minister- 
ing brethren  by  the  funds  of  the  Convention  ;  between 
twenty  and  thirty  beneficiaries  have  been  sustained  for 
longer  or  shorter  penods  at  different  institutions  of 
learning ;  and  under  the  auspices  of  the  body,  a  sem- 
inary for  literary  and  theological  instruction  has  been 
reai'ed  up  with  a  respectable  endowment,  which  has 
already  conferred  great  benefits  upon  the  denomina- 


158  MEMOIRS    OF 

tioii  and  the  country  at  large,  and  with  the  blessing  of 
the  Almighty,  will  be  a  powerful  auxiliary  to  the 
cause  of  religion  and  learning  for  generations  to  come. 
A  much  greater  amount  might  have  been  accomplish- 
ed, if  the  entire  denomination  in  the  state  had  put 
forth  their  best  endeavors  ;  but  enough  has  been  done 
to  afford  delightful  evidence  that  God  has  approved 
of  the  labors  of  his  servants,  and  to  remind  us  that  we 
cannot  place  too  high  an  estimate  upon  the  toils  and 
sacrifices  of  our  venerable  fathers,  who  have  been 
pioneers  in  this  good  work. 

Mr.  INIercer  was  not,  perhaps,  as  fruitful  as  some 
others  in  devising  new  and  important  plans  ;  nor  did 
he  possess  as  much  executive  energy  as  some  in  car- 
rying forward  a  plan,  in  its  perplexing  details,  into 
practical  operation ;  but  how  few  could  judge  with 
more  accuracy  of  the  merits  of  any  scheme  when  pro- 
posed ;  or  were  more  ready  to  sustain  it  in  every  rea- 
sonable way,  when  it  commended  itself  to  him  as  wise 
and  useful ;  or  by  prudent  and  well-timed  suggestions 
could  more  readily  prune  off  excrescences,  supply  de- 
fects, and  thus  mould  it  into  a  proper  and  practicable 
shape ;  and  at  the  same  time  defend  it  against  the 
short-sighted  judgment  and  eccentric  zeal  of  its  erring 
friends.  It  was  in  this  way,  that  he  impressed  his 
image  upon  all  the  leading  measures  of  the  conven- 
tion ;  thoroughly  identifying  himself  in  their  devel- 
opment and  successful  progress,  and  standing  forth  to 
view,  in  his  wisdom,  prudence,  constancy,  and  untir- 
ing benevolence  as,  in  a  very  important  sense,  the 
bright  and  strong  centre  of  this  useful  and  respectable 
body.  He  was  regularly  chosen  the  Moderator  of  the 
Convention  till  the  session  of  1841,  when  his  feeble 
health  and  domestic  afflictions  rendered  his  attendance 
impossible.     He  watched  over  the   interests  of  the 


JESSE    MERCER. 


lo9 


body  with  untiring  vigilance  ;  took  every  suitable  op- 
portunity to  explain  its  objects,  and  defend  it  against 
the  assaults  of  its  enemies  ;  never  allowing  himself  to 
become  damped  in  zeal,  or  alienated  in  feeling,  in 
consequence  of  any  difference  of  opinion  which  might 
exist  between  him  and  his  brethren;  and  never  shrink- 
ing from  any  reasonable  service,  which  might  at  any 
time  be  imposed  upon  him.  He  was  a  member,  ex- 
officio,  of  the  Convention's  Executive  Committee: 
the  meetings  of  this  body  were  frequent,  and  the  busi- 
ness often  laborious ;  but  on  all  needful  occasions  he 
was  ever  found  at  his  post. 

Mr.  Mercer  prepared  and  read  before  the  Conven- 
tion (in  1S25,)  "  An  Exposition  of  the  first  seventeen 
verses  of  the  12th  chapter  of  Revelation,"  which,  in 
connexion  with  other  essays  presented  at  the  same 
time,  was  published  in  pamphlet  form,  and  circulated 
pretty   extensively  amongst  the  churches. 

The  pages  of  the  Convention  Minutes  were  often 
enriched  by  the  valuable  and  important  productions 
of  his   pen.     In  the  minutes  of   1829,   appears    his 
"  Dissertation  on  the  Prerequisites  to  Ordination  ;''  of 
1830,   an  ''Essay  o?i  the    Scriptural    Meaiiing  and 
Manrier  of  Ordination;''  of  1831,  a  circular  on  the 
**  Importance  of  an  elevated  standard  of    Christian 
Morality  r  of  1833,  a  dissertation  on   '' the  Resem- 
blances and  Differences    between    Church    Authority, 
and  that  of  an  Association^     The   circular  of  1831 
will  be  found  entire  in  a  subsequent  chapter  of  this 
work ;  some  extracts  will   also  be  made  from  the  es- 
bays.     It  may  be  proper  here  to  state,  that  to  the  dis- 
sertation of  1833,  as  it  was  republished  in  the  Index, 
there  was  appended  a  short  *'  Essay  on  the  Independ- 
ence of  the  Churches.'' 


160  MEMOIRS    OF 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

Mr.  Mercer's  efforts  in  behalf  of  education. — Mount  Enon. — Co- 
lumbian College. — Attempts  at  co-operation  with  South  Carolina. 
— Mr.  Mercer's  views  on  the  subject — His  aid  to  Mercer  Uni- 
versity.— Brief  history  of  the  ir<?*;tv:;ion. — Project  of  a  college 
at  Washington,  Wilkes  co. — Sermon  on  Education. — Extracts 
from  the  same,  and  from  Christian  Index. 

The  cause  of  education  ever  found  in  Mr.  Mercer 

an  able,  indefatigable,  and  successful  advocate.  His 
father,  as  we  have  seen,  was  an  early  and  zealous 
pation  of  learning;  and  it  r-'-r  with  safety  be  said 
that  never,  for  a  moment,  were  bis  principles  and  ex- 
ample in  this  respect  reproached  by  his  distinguished 
son.  As  a  prominent  member  of  the  "  General  Com- 
mittee," he  exerted  himself  to  disseminate  correct 
views  on  the  subject  amongst  his  brethren ;  and  in 
the  attempts  that  were  made  to  establish  upon  a  per- 
manent basis  a  respectable  literary  institution  at 
Mount  Enon  in  Richmond  county,  he  took  an  active 
part.  This  academy  was  opened  in  1807 ;  for  seve- 
ral years  it  progressed  with  encouraging  prospects  ; 
but  becoming  at  length  encumbered  with  pecuniary 
embaiTassments,  it  came  to  a  sad  and  untimely  end. 

The  failure  of  the  Mount  Enon  entei"prise  cast  a 
deep  gloom  over  the  prospects  of  education  amongst 
the  Baptists  of  Georgia ;  but  this  disaster  did  not  in 
the  view  of  Mr.  Mercer,  diminish  its  importance  to 
the  interests  of  the  denomination,  and  the  general 
welfare  of  society.  The  Baptists,  as  constituting  an 
important  portion  of  the  population  of  the  country, 
and  holding  large  pecuniary  resources  in  their  hands, 


JESSE    MERCER.  IGI 

be  conceived  were  under  a  commanding  obligation  to 
contribute  their  portion  to  the  education  of  the  pub- 
lic mind  ;  and  deeply  did  he  feel  the  necessity  of  their 
establishing  scminanes  of  learning,  which  might  af- 
ford to  their  own  children  the  means  of  a  good  edu- 
cation, and  under  such  circumstances  as  would  natu- 
rally prevent  their  becoming  alienated  from  those 
sentiments  which,  as  a  Bcq^tist,  he  considered  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  word  of  God,  Especially  was  he 
impressed  with  the  importance  of  a  well  educated 
ministr}''.  The  progressive  intelligence  of  society  fur- 
nished, in  his  view,  a  strong  reason  why  there  should 
be  a  corresponding  improvement  on  the  part  of  those 
Avho  were  to  be  the  public  instructors  of  the  people 
in  sacred  things ;  and  he  plainly  foresaw,  (what  sub- 
sequent events  have  sadly  verified  in  numerous  in- 
stances,) that  the  superior  intelligence  in  the  ministry 
of  other  denominations,  would  give  them  the  decided 
ascendancy  in  many  of  the  most  important  places  in 
the  country,  and  that  many  of  the  children  of  Baptist 
parentage,  preferring  the  ministrations  of  educated 
men,  though  less  inclined  at  first  to  their  sentiments, 
would  gradually  attach  themselves  to  their  congrega- 
tions, and  finally  become  identified  with  all  their  de- 
nominational movements.  And  aside  from  all  such 
considerations,  he  regarded  it  a  sacred  scriptural  re- 
quisition, that  *^  the  priest's  lips  should  keep  know- 
ledge ;"  that  every  minister  should,  if  possible,  ac- 
quire that  general  information  which  would  tend  to 
secure  for  him  respect  and  influence ;  and  especially 
such  an  enlaro^ed  and  accurate  knowleds^e  of  the 
scriptures,  as  would  i-ender  him  a  workman  that  need- 
eth  not  to  be  ashamed,  able  rightly  to  divide  the  word 
of  truth.    After  all,  however,  ardent  piety  in  the  minis- 

8* 


162  MEMOIRS    OF 

try  he  deemed  paramount  to  every  thing  else.  A 
gi'aceless  preacher  was,  in  his  estimation,  a  character 
to  be  abhoiTed.  None  were  more  anxious  than  he 
to  guard  by  every  possible  means,  the  avenues  to 
ministerial  preferment  against  the  intrusions  of  those 
who,  from  carnal,  "sordid,  earthly  motives,  would 
tlirust  themselves  into  the  sacred  desk.  If  at  any 
time,  persons  have  uttered  or  entertained  a  different 
opinion  in  regard  to  Mr.  Mercer  in  this  respect,  tliey 
have  most  egregiously  mistaken  his  principles. 

From  the  first,  he  was  much  interested  in  the  ef- 
forts which  were  made  to  establish  a  college  in  the 
District  of  Columbia.  His  name  was  enrolled 
amongst  the  trustees  of  the  institution ;  in  the  midst 
of  its  long  and  distressing  embarrassments,  he  clung 
to  it  with  a  steadfast  affection,  and  contributed  to  its 
support  with  a  bountiful  hand.  Seldom,  if  ever,  was 
an  appeal  to  him  for  assistance  made  in  vain.  And 
in  no  small  degree  may  it  be  attributed  to  the  exam- 
ple and  influence  of  Mr.  Mercer,  that  such  liberal  con- 
tributions were  raised  in  the  state  of  Georgia  in  aid 
of  the  college.  He  deemed  it  the  true  policy  of  the 
denomination  to  concentrate  much  of  their  bounty 
upon  this  institution  until  it  should  be  raised  above 
its  embaiTassments,  and  secure  an  ample  endowment ; 
fearing  that  the  many  local  movements  which  were 
commencing  in  many  of  the  states,  would  greatly 
cripple  its  operations,  if  not  huiTy  it  to  certain  ruin. 

The  Baptist  State  Convention  of  South  Carolina, 
which  originated  about  the  same  time  with  that  of 
Georgia,  took  early  measures  to  establish  a  literary 
and  theological  institution.  It  was  the  anxious  de- 
sire of  majiy  that  Georgia  might  be  brought  into  co- 
operation with  that  state  in  the  support  of  this  imp  or- 


*  JESSE    MERCail.  163 

taut  measure ;  and  several  iuettectual  efforts  were 
made  to  this  end.  Mr.  Mercer,  though  he  considered 
the  effort  premature,  was,  on  the  whole,  favorable  to 
the  union  of  the  two  states  in  this  enterprise,  provided 
it  could  be  secured  on  proper  piinciples,  well  satis- 
fied that  concentrated  action  was  far  preferable  to  that 
isolated  policy  which  was  beginning  too  generally  to 
prevail.  His  views,  however,  were  not  favored  by 
his  brethren.  Insunnountable  difficulties,  growing 
out  of  local,  state  partialities,  on  both  sides  of  the  Sa- 
vannah, prevented  that  co-operation  which  was  in  it- 
self, so  important  and  desii*able.  In  the  following  let- 
ter addressed  to  a  ministering  brother,  Mr.  Mercer's 
sentiments  on  some  of  these  points  are  clearly  ex- 
pressed. 

"  Wushinglon,  March  llih,  1831. 
*'  My  dear  Brother  M. 

"  There  is  no  saying  more  true,  (for  it  is  truth  it- 
self,) than  that  of  our  Saviour,  *  out  of  the  abundance 
of  the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh.'  No  wonder,  as  you 
are  recently  from  South  Carolina,  and  yet  full  of 
South  Carolina  matters,  especially  those  of  vital  im- 
portancCj  whether  there  or  here,  that  you  should 
stick  to  your  old  objects,  '  like  a  puppy  to  a  root.' 
And  such  adherence  to  good  objects  is  not  to  be  ridi- 
culed by  the  odious  epithets  of  *  b'tgotnj  or  seljish- 
ncssJ  But  to  be  more  serious ;  on  the  subject  of 
yours  of  the  4tli  inst.,  I  had  been  addressed  by  brother 
Manly  before  the  S.  C.  Convention,  and  since.  I 
have  answered  him,  and  can  only  say  to  you  that  I 
am  of  opinion  that  union  of  effort  in  the  education 
business  would  be  more  efficient :  and,  taking  an  ab- 
stract view  of  the  subject,  I  am  fully  6'f  the  belief 
that  it  would  be  best  to   unite ;  and  taking  a  single 


164  MEMOIRS    OF  ♦ 

view  for  myself  alone,  I  am  on  that  side.     But  still,  I 
am  very  doubtful  whether  it  is  practicable.     In  the 
first  place,  Georgians   are  like  other  people,  aeljish^ 
and  vain  in  their  imaginations,  and  I  am  slow  to  be- 
lieve they  would  be  gotten  to  agree  to  give  their  mo- 
ney for  a  union  institution  of  any  kind.    But  secondly, 
I  fear  if  it  was  attempted  on  this  side  or  on  that  side 
of  the  river  Savannah,  we  could  not  agree  in  the  pro- 
visions, objects,  and  minutiae  of  the  institution.    There 
is  a  still  greater  difficulty  with  me,  one  evil  into  v.hich 
our  brethren   are    constantly   running;    'tis    one    for 
which  the  people  of  this   tOv^ntry  are  said  to  be  fa- 
mous, that  is,  *  to  be  always  doing  too  much  or  too 
little.'     It  is  to  me   certain  v/e  all  are  not  yet  pre- 
pared to  do  what  each  is  disposed  to  do.     I  have  al- 
ways been  opposed   to   these  forward  steps.     I  was 
opposed  to  the  commencing  the  Furman  Academy, 
because  the  Columbian  College  was  not  settled  firmly 
on  its  base.     The  same  difficulty  is  yet  on  hand.     If, 
when  that  institution  was   undertaken,   all  had  con- 
tinued at  the  wheels,  it  might  now  have  been  a  flour- 
ishingf  colleg-e.     But  New-V'^ork  must  have  its  Hamil- 
ton  College,  Massachusetts  its   Newton   Theological 
Institution,  Virginia  its  College,   South  Carolina  its 
Furaian  Academy,  and   now  Georgia  must  have  its 
"Working  Establishment,  &:c.  &c. ;    and  I   know  not 
what  next.     The  proposals  as  laid  down  by  you  and 
brother  Manly  are  fair,  quite  fair ;  but  it  might  prove 
a  gi'eat  inconvenience  to  one  or  the  other.     If  we  be- 
gin together,  it  must  be  near  the  river.     Now  suppose 
this  should  be  broken  up  in  a  few  years,  and  South 
Carolina,  or  Georgia,  should  begin  to  *  nib  for  herself,* 
in  what  an  awkward  situation   would    it  leave   the 
other  ?    in  a  much  worse  than  if  the  connexion  had 
never  existed." 


JESSE    MERCER.  165 

From  the  foregoing  letter,  as  well  as  other  letters 
inserted  in  a  previous  chapter,  it  appears  that  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  manual  labor  school  had  become  a 
favorite  scheme  with  many  of  the  Baptists  of  Geor- 
gia.    At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Convention  at 
Buck  Head,  Burke  county,  in  April,  1831,  the  follow- 
ing resolution  was  adopted  :   "  Resolved,  that  as  soon 
as  the  funds  will  justify  it,  this  Convention  will  estab- 
lish in  some  central  part  of  the  state,  a  Classical  and 
Theological  School,  which  shall  unite  agricultural  la- 
bor with  study,  and  be  opened  for  those  only  prepar- 
ing for  the  ministry."     At  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Convention,  the  plan  of  the  institution  was  so  amend- 
ed, as  to  admit  others   besides   students   in  divinity, 
under  the    direction  of  the  Executive    Committee. 
Although  this   plan  did  not   originate  with  Mr.  Mer- 
cer,* and  he  feared  that  the  movement  on  the  part  of 
his  brethren  was  rather  premature  ;  yet  no  sooner  had 
their  wishes  and  purpose  been  definitely  expressed, 
than  he  embraced  the  enterprise  with  his  accustomed 
promptitude  and  zeal,  and  from  the  very  first  became 
one  of  its  most  devoted  and  munificent  patrons.     In- 
deed, the  part  which  he  took  in  the  nurture  and  en- 
dowment of  this  Institution,  may  be  considered   the 
most  important  and  prominent  of  the  many  and  use- 
ful benevolent  services  of  his  whole  life.     As  it  was 
determined  by  his  brethren  that  the  seminary  should 
bear  his  honored  name,  and  from  its  first  establish- 
ment it   engaged  his  unremitted   solicitude  ;    as  very 
much  of  its  respectability  and  success,  (whatever  they 
may  have  been,)  must  be  attributed  to  the  liberality 

*  The  plan  seemed  to  have  originated  with  Mr.  Sherwood.  In 
1832  Mr.  S.  established  a  small  manual  labor  school  on  his  own 
[•remises,  near  Eatonton  in  Putnam  county,  by  way  of  experiment. 


166  MEMOIRS    OP 

of  his  contributions,  and  the  wisdom  of  his  counsels  ; 
and  as  it  was  constituted,  by  his  last  will  and  testa* 
ment,  the  principal  heir  of  his  large  estate,  it  would 
seem  projier  that  a  more  particular  account  of  its 
origin  and  early  progress  should  be  imbodied  in  his 
biography.  The  writer  feels  happy  in  being  able  to 
present  this  account  in  the  language  of  that  worthy 
and  indefatigable  brother,  who  for  seven  years  pre- 
sided over  the  Institution  with  uncommon  ability  and 
success.  The  following  extracts  are  from  Mr.  San- 
ders' "  Valedictory  Address,  delivered  before  the 
Trustees,  Faculty,  Students,  and  Friends  of  the  Mer- 
cer University,"   12th  December,  1839. 

"  The  origin,  the  design  and  the  progi'ess  of  our  In- 
stitution to  its  present  state,  may  be  proper  subjects 
of  reflection  on  this  occasion.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Baptist  Convention  of  this  State  in  1829,  it  was  report- 
ed that  a  Brother  Josiah  Penfield,  of  Savannah,  hav- 
ing died,  had  left  a  bequest  of  $2,500,  to  aid  in  the 
education  of  poor  young  men  preparing  for  the  Min- 
istry, and  to  be  under  the  direction  of  that  body,  upon 
the  condition  of  their  raising  an  equivalent  sum  for 
the  same  object,  the  interest  only  of  which  should  be 
used.  The  equivalent  was  at  once  subscribed  by  the 
brethren  and  friends  present,  although  it  was  not  un- 
til the  beginning  of  the  year  1833,  that  the  legacy  was 
paid  over  to  the  Convention,  and  the  equivalent  made 
collectable. 

"  In  prospect  however  of  realizing  this  amount  in  a 
short  time,  and  already  in  the  possession  of  small 
sums  received  from  Associations  and  benevolent  so- 
cieties for  the  same  object,  it  was  thought  expedient 
by  the  Convention  in  1831,  to  establish  a  school,  The- 


JESSE    MERCER.  167 

ological  and  Literary,  connected  with  manual  labor, 
at  as  early  a  period  as  practicable,  in  some  convenient 
and  central  part  of  the  state.  To  effect  this  without 
delay,  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Convention, 
whose  province  it  is  to  transact  all  its  business  during 
its  recess,  was  directed  to  procure  subscriptions,  to 
examine  locations,  to  receive  propositions,  and  to  re- 
port to  their  next  annual  meeting. 

"  At  the  meeting  of  the  Convention  in  1832,  a  sub- 
scription of  $1,500  was  reported,  and  the  respective 
advantage  of  a  variety  of  locations  that  had  been  ex- 
amined. The  one  we  now  occupy  was  selected,  the 
purchase  ordered  to  be  made,  and  the  school  to  be 
gotten  into  operation,  if  practicable,  by  the  beginning 
of  a  new  year.  The  Committee,  with  whom  it  was  a 
maxim  *  not  to  go  in  debt,'  speedily  made  the  best  ar- 
rano^ements  tlic  means  in  hand  would  admit.  These 
arrangements  consisted  of  two  double  cabins  with  a 
gaiTet  to  each,  for  dwelling,  for  dining,  and  for  study, 
for  both  teacheis  and  students.  With  these  limited 
accommodations  and  with  one  assistant,  I  opened  the 
Institution  in  January,  1833,  with  thiity-nine  students, 
having  thirty-six  of  them  to  board  in  my  own  family. 
Among  those  were  seven  young  men  preparing  for 
the  Ministry. 

"  I  shall  ever  remember,  with  lively  emotions  of 
pleasure,  the  patience  and  cheerfulness  with  which 
the  students  of  this  year  sustained  the  privations  and 
trials,  to  which  they  were  subjected  by  their  cramped 
circumstances.  They  may  be  truly  said  to  have  borne 
hardness  like  good  soldiers.  While  living  as  in  a 
camp  in  their  midst,  and  burdened  with  the  charge 
and  responsibility  of  the  Literary,  Theological,  labor- 
ing, and  boarding  departments,  I  found  no  little  sup- 


168  MEMOIRS    OF 

port  in  all  my  cares  and  labors,  from  witnessing,  that 
while  they  lived  upon  the  cheapest  fare,  had  no  place 
for  study  but  the  common  school-room,  no  place  to 
retire  to  for  rest  but  a  garret  without  fire  in  the  cold* 
est  weather,  and  labored  diligently  three  hours  every 
day,  no  complaint  was  heard,  but  that  the  most  entire 
cheerfulness  ran  through  all  their  words  and  actions. 

**  In  a  word,  those  favorable  indications  of  the  suc- 
cess of  the  enterprise,  soon  began  to  inspire  its  friends 
with  confidence,  and  to  animate  their  efforts  for  the 
extension  of  its  advantages.  An  amount  was  soon 
raised  to  erect  another  large  w^ooden  building,  with 
eight  comfortable  rooms  for  dormitories,  and  a  brick 
basement  for  chapel  and  school-rooms. 

*'  The  second  year's  operations  were  commenced 
with  increased  accommodations,  with  an  additional 
teacher,  and  eighty  students,  seventy  of  whom  boarded 
in  commons.  During  the  second  and  third  years,  the 
building  of  a  larger  and  comfortable  dwelling,  a  com- 
modious dining-room  and  two  society-halls,  abundant- 
ly increased  both  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of 
the  Institution. 

"  Thus  did  its  interests  advance  from  year  to  year, 
by  the  multiplication  of  its  friends,  and  the  increase 
of  their  bounty,  under  the  superintendence  of  a  Com- 
mittee, whose  watch-word  was,  *  Owe  no  man  any 
thing,'  until  1837,  the  fifth  year  of  its  operations. 
During;'  this  vear,  two  circumstances  occurred  to  ffive 
a  strong  impulse  to  the  advancement  of  its  prosperity. 
Just  at  this  period,  a  project  that  had  been  gotten  up 
for  a  Baptist  College,  to  be  located  at  Washington,  in 
Wilkes  county,  was  relinquished,  after  nearly  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars  had  been  subscribed  for  its 
accomplishment.     This  event  was  promptly  improved 


JESSE    MERCER.  169 

by  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Baptist  Conven- 
tion, charged  with  the  interests  of  this  Institution,  and 
a  resolution  was  at  once  passed  by  them  to  elevate  it 
by  the  addition  of  a  Collegiate  Department.  An 
agent  was  appointed  to  obtain,  if  possible,  a  transfer 
to  it  of  the  sums  that  had  been  subscribed  to  the  con- 
templated college  at  Washington.  In  the  execution 
of  this  labor  he  was  peculiarly  successful,  and  to  the 
Convention  of  1838,  he  made  a  report  of  the  transfer 
of  between  50  and  $60,000. 

"  During  this  year  also,  a  towTi  was  laid  out  around 
the  Institution,  and  named  after  the  donor  of  the  first 
contribution,  which  had  laid  the  foundation  for  its  ex- 
istence. Several  thousand  dollars  worth  of  lots  were 
at  once  sold,  with  a  condition  prohibiting  the  admis- 
sion on  them  of  gambling-houses  or  tippling  shops,  on 
pain  of  forfeiture  of  title.  The  number  of  lots  sold, 
as  well  as  the  prices,  were  abundantly  increased  by  a 
judicious  arrangement  of  the  Committee  appropriating 
$3,000  of  the  avails,  to  build  a  Female  Academy  in 
the  town. 

"  Arrangements  were  now^  also  made  to  have  the 
Male  Institution  transferred  to  a  separate  Board  of 
Trustees,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Convention  once  in 
three  years,  and  required  to  make  annual  reports  of 
the  state  of  the  Institution.  By  the  Convention  of 
1838,  that  Board  was  appointed,  and  shortly  after  met, 
and  organized,  and  made  the  necessary  aiTangements 
for  the  commencement  of  the  operations  of  the  Insti- 
tution in  its  elevated  character,  under  the  title  of  the 
Mercer  University,  in  the  beginning  of  the  present 
year.  That  board  I  now  have  the  pleasure  to  address. 
It  is  well  known  to  many  of  yo^',  my  brethren,  with 
what  doubtful  apprehensions  of  duty,  and  with  what 


170  MEMOIRS    OF 

consequent  reluctance,  I  gave  up  the  more  general 
and  active  labors  of  the  Ministry,  to  take  upon  me  the 
charge  of  this  Institution  in  its  infancy.  Yielding, 
however,  to  the  strong  impressions  of  my  brethren, 
that,  as  its  more  immediate  and  especial  design  was 
for  the  improvement  of  the  Ministry,  it  v^ould  afford 
one  of  the  best  opportunities  of  promoting  Ministerial 
usefulness;  and  encouraged  moreover,  by  my  own 
convictions  of  the  importance  of  early  attention  to  the 
religious  sentiments,  and  ideas  of  duty  to  be  enter- 
tained by  young  men  entering  into  the  labors  of  the 
Ministry ;  I  eventually  consented  to  take  charge  of  it, 
until  a  suitable  opportunity  might  be  presented  of 
having  the  office  supplied  by  another. 

"  After  laboring  six  years  in  the  complicated,  op- 
pressive, and  responsible  duties  of  Principal  of  all  the 
departments  of  the  Institution,  and  after  it  had,  in  the 
dispensation  of  Divine  Providence,  been  so  promoted 
as  to  justify  the  division  of  its  several  departments, 
and  the  appointment  of  a  separate  officer  to  the  charge 
of  each,  I  supposed,  the  occasion  had  occurred  that 
would  justify  my  retirement.  I  consequently  availed 
myself  of  it,  and  obtained  your  acceptance  of  my  resig- 
nation. But,  being  unable  to  procure  the  sendees  of 
the  officer  of  your  choice  to  preside  over  the  Literary 
department,  I  was  again  induced  to  consent  to  your 
wishes,  in  assuming  that  charge,  till  the  office  could 
be  otherwise  satisfactorily  filled. 

"  The  desired  arrangements  have  now  been  made. 
You  have  been  able,  in  all  departments,  to  obtain  the 
services  of  officers  of  proven  abilities  to  fill  their  re- 
spective appointments,  and  I  now  with  pleasure  again 
resign  my  charge  into  your  hands.  In  retiring  from 
your  service  as  an  officer  of  the  Institution,  permit 


JESSE    MERCER.  171 

me  to  assure  you,  that  the  testimonies,  which  1  have 
received  from  time  to  time,  of  the  satisfaction  which 
my  services  have  given,  have  constituted  no  small 
share  of  the  reward  of  my  labors. 

♦'  Permit  me  here  to  recount  some  of  the  principles 
upon  which  your  Institution  was  first  organized,  and 
on  which  it  has  since  been  conducted  by  its  founders  ; 
principles  which  have  no  doubt  contributed  eminently 
to  its  past  success,  and  in  favor  of  which  evident  indi- 
cations of  Divine  approbation  have  been  manifested. 
In  the  first  place,  it  was  a  principle  with  them  to  de- 
liberate maturely  on  every  subject  of  investigation, 
and  to  examine  well  the  ground  about  to  be  occupied, 
before  they  took  their  position.     So  far  from  being 
hasty  in  their  conclusions,   or  rash  and  precipitate  in 
their  acts,  they  took  care  to  satisfy  themselves  fully 
with  regard  to  the  merits  of  every  subject  that  pre- 
sented its  claims  to  their  attention,  before  they  put 
forth  their  labors  in  its  behalf. 

"  This  they  did,  not  from  a  belief  in  the  pernicious 
doctrine,  that  a  good  end  will  justify  any  unhallowed 
means.  Such  a  doctrine  they  would  have  individually 
spumed,  however  it  may  be  entertained  by  some  great 
men  of  the  day.  But  this  they  did,  from  the  cr>nvic- 
tion  that  it  is  the  duty  of  rational  and  accountable  be- 
ino-s,  to  have  their  principal  energies  directed  towards 
the  accomplishment  of  great  and  important  objects, 
that  they  may  the  better  obey  the  injunction  '  whatso- 
ever thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might.' 
This  principle  they  by  no  means  overlooked  in  the 
subject  of  our  present  reflections.  As  a  Classical  Ed- 
ucation of  candidates  for  the  ministry  had  long  been, 
and  still  was,  reprobated  by  many,  it  was  the  more 
necessary  that  they  should  make  a  careful  and  tho- 


172  MEMOIRS    OF 

rough  examination  of  the  subject,  before  they  engaged 
in  its  promotion.  But  the  more  carefully  and  tho- 
roucrhly  they  examined  it,  they  were  but  the  more 
fully  persuaded,  that  it  was  an  object  worthy  of  the 
prayers  and  labors  of  all  the  friends  of  God  or  man. 
Their  efforts  therefore,  made  in  the  prosecution  of  this 
object,  have  not  only  been  with  an  approving  con- 
science, but  Vv'ith  unrelaxed  energy  and  ardent  prayer, 
and  have  not  been  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

"  Although  since  the  origin  of  this  Institution,  there 
have  been  but  few  among  us  entering  the  ministry, 
yet  it  has,  no  doubt,  been  the  means  of  abundantly 
enlarging  the  sphere  of  usefulness  of  a  portion  of  that 
few,  not  only  from  our  own  state,  but  also  from  neigh- 
boring states.  It  has  aided  about  twenty  young  breth- 
ren in  their  preparation  for  their  labors,  and  fifteen 
of  them  gratuitously.  Several  of  these  are  now  en- 
gaged acceptably  and  successfully  in  the  field  of  labor. 
Their  efforts  have  already  been  abundantly  blessed,  in 
promoting  revivals  of  religion  in  the  different  sections 
of  country  to  which  they  have  been  called,  as  well  as  in 
advancing  the  benign  objects  of  christian  benevolence. 

"  2d.  Your  Institution  has  also  been  built  upon  the 
faith  of  that  divine  principle  of  truth,  *  that  except  the 
Lord  build  the  house,  they  labor  in  vain  that  build  it.' 
Its  founders  have  not  stopped  at  making  sure  of  a 
good  object  and  then  laboring  diligently  for  its  ac- 
complishment. In  all  their  efforts,  they  have  ac- 
knowledged God,  and  sought  his  blessing  in  earnest 
prayer.  How  often  and  how  fervently  have  they,  in 
the  language  of  the  pious  Psalmist,  prayed,  '  Estab- 
lish thou  the  work  of  our  hands  upon  us,  yea,  the 
work  of  our  hands,  establish  thou  it.'  And  the  Lord 
hath  graciously  heard  their  prayers,  and  wonderfully 


JESSE    MERCER.  173 

granted  their  desires,  and  exalted  their  Institution  to 
an  elevation  of  character  and  usefulness,  transcending 
in  so  short  a  time,  the  most  sanguine  anticipations  of 
its  warmest  friends.  In  retrospecting  its  history,  we 
are  called  upon  to  recognise  the  hand  of  God,  not 
only  in  building  up  the  interests  of  the  Institution, 
and  giving  it  favor  in  the  eye  of  the  people,  but  more 
particularly  in  the  frequent  revivals  of  religion,  with 
which  he  has  been  pleased  to  visit  it ;  and  these, 
mostly  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  young  breth- 
ren here  preparing  for  future  labors  in  the  ministry. 
Here  the  Lord  has  said  to  them,  cast  in  your  nets  for 
a  draught,  and  in  so  doing,  they  have  enclosed,  to 
their  astonishment,  a  multitude  of  fishes.  This  they  had 
little  expected,  and  have  been  willing  to  receive  it  as 
a  divine  acknowledgment  of  the  acceptance  of  their 
labors.  It  has  become  to  them  a  verification  of  the 
promise,  '  and,  lo  !  I  am  with  you  always,'  and  an  an- 
tepast  of  the  blessedness  of  an  instrumentality  in  the 
salvation  of  immortal  souls.  By  the  founders  and 
contributors  to  the  institution,  this  may  be  regarded 
^s  a  demonstration  of  the  importance  of  the  work  in 
which  they  are  engaged,  as  an  expression  of  the  di- 
vine approbation  of  the  labor  of  their  hands,  and  a 
striking  evidence  of  the  answer  of  prayer.  To  all 
future  officers,  members  and  patrons  of  the  Institu- 
tion, it  affords  a  lively  encouragement  to  labor  with 
diligence,  and  to  pray  without  ceasing. 

"It  is  a  heart-cheering  subject  of  contemplation, 
that  but  one  year  out  of  seven  has  passed  away  with- 
out more  or  less  religious  revival  among  the  students  ; 
and  that  nearly  one  hundred  of  them,  have  here 
hopefully  been  translated  from  the  kingdom  of  dark- 
ness to  that  of  light ;  some  of  whom  are  already  ac- 


174  MEMOIRS    OF 

lively  engaged  in  the  labors  of  the  ministiy.  Who 
can  tell  the  influence  these  may  have  on  the  destinies 
of  the  world,  through  the  instrumentality  of  their  la- 
bors and  their  prayers  ? 

*'  3d.  Another  princijjle,  early  laid  down  and  firmly 
adhered  to  by  the  founders  of  your  Institution,  was 
*  to  keep  out  of  debt.'  The  Convention  of  1832 
passed  a  resolution,  '  that  no  debt  shall  be  contracted 
by  the  Committee  or  Trustees  on  the  credit  of  the  In- 
stitution, without  funds  in  hand  to  pay ;  otherwise,  in 
every  such  case,  it  shall  be  on  their  own  individual 
responsibility.'  The  wisdom  of  this  policy  cannot  be 
too  highly  appreciated. 

"  Mount  Enon  in  our  own  state,  and  the  Colum- 
bian College  in  Washington  City,  were  beacons  of 
warning  for  our  denomination ;  and  well  have  they 
improved  the  melancholy  lessons  of  instruction  that 
had  here  been  taught  them.  Instead  of  embarrass- 
ment, and  perplexity,  and  loan,  and  abatement  of 
funds  by  usury,  you  have  now  before  you,  the  free 
and  unfettered  use  of  all  the  property  and  funds  of 
your  Institution. 

***** 

*'  4th.  Another  important  principle  mth  the  found- 
ers of  your  Institution,  was,  *  to  go  more  for  substance 
than  for  show,  and  more  for  sense  than  sounds  In 
digesting  systems,  in  erecting  buildings,  in  arranging 
studies,  in  selecting  teachers,  in  a  word,  in  every 
operation  of  the  Institution,  this  principle  has  had  its 
influence.  It  was  the  high  consideration  in  which 
this  principle  was  held,  that  recommended  so  strongly 
to  them  the  manual  labor  system  of  education.  They 
could  readily  see  that  if  thoroughly  earned  out,  it 
was  well  calculated  to  make  effective  practical  men  : 


JESSE    MERCER.  175 

men,  not  only  able  to  understand,  but  also  able  to 
perform  whatever  service  might  be  necessary  to  pro- 
mote the  interest  of  their  country  or  their  own  pros- 
perity. It  is  on  this  principle,  that  the  instructions  of 
the  teachers  have  been  addressed  to  the  understand- 
ing of  the  pupils,  and  not  merely  to  the  memory,  and 
that  public  examinations  have  been  required  to  be 
thorough  and  undeceptive  ;  and  on  this  principle  it  is, 
that  more  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  solid  branches 
of  mental  and  moral  improvement,  than  to  any  of  the 
forms  of  fashionable  etiquette. 

"  The  result  has  proved  that  honesty  is  the  best 
policy ;  that  however  the  world  may  labor  to  deceive, 
it  is  not  willing  to  be  deceived ;  and  that  its  imitators 
in  hollow  show,  are  not  the  objects  of  its  confidence 
and  respect.  While  on  this  subject,  I  would  remark 
that  if  I  have  understood  the  views  of  this  board, 
they  are  in  entire  harmony  with  this  principle ;  that 
they  consider  it  a  matter  of  more  importance  to  have 
good  instructers,  than  fine  buildings ;  that  the  eleva- 
tion of  character  and  usefulness  of  a  college  depends 
more  upon  the  talent  and  learning  and  moral  princi- 
ples of  its  faculty,  than  on  the  number  and  splendor 
of  its  edifices." 

Mr.  Sanders  was  succeeded  in  the  presidency  of 
the  Institution  by  Rev.  Otis  Smith,  who  conducted  its 
affairs  for  the  three  successive  years.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Sherwood,  now  President  of  Shurtleff  College,  Illi- 
nois, was  for  some  time  connected  with  the  Institution 
as  Theological  Professor.*     It  has  been  highly  grati- 

*  Besides  the  individuals  already  named,  the  following  have  been 
connected  with  the  Institution  for  longer  or  shorter  periodp,  as  in- 
structers:    E.    Moyer,    J.   O-  M'Danicl,    John  F.  Hillyer,  W.   D. 


176  MEMOIRS    OF 

fying  to  the  friends  of  the  University,  that  the  num- 
ber of  theological  students  has  of  late  increased,  thus 
brightening  the  hope  of  realizing  the  accomplishment 
of  the  most  prominent  design  for  which  the  Seminary- 
was  founded.  On  account,  however,  of  the  late  un- 
paralleled pecuniary  embarrassments  of  the  country, 
the  destruction  of  the  principal  building  by  fire,  and 
other  causes,  the  Institution  has  been  much  impeded 
in  its  operations ;  yoL  it  would  be  wrong  to  relinquish 
the  hopes  which  its  past  success  has  inspired ;  and 
still  more  criminal  for  the  denomination  to  withhold 
their  vigorous  support  from  a  seminary  so  needful  for 
their  prosperity,  and  upon  which  so  much  prayer,  and 
labor,  and  pecuniaiy  bounty  have  been  bestowed. 

In  the  preceding  extracts  from  President  Sanders' 
Address,  and  also  in  one  of  Mr.  Mercer's  letters  to 
Mr,  Bolles,  in  the  6th  chapter,  there  is  reference  to  a 
plan  for  a  time  entertained,  of  establishing  a  Baptist 
college  at  Washington,  Wilkes  county.  This  was 
suggested  to  the  minds  of  one  or  two  pious  brethren, 
at  that  place,  upon  the  final  determination  of  the 
Presbyterians  to  establish  their  Institution  at  Med- 
way  (near  Milledgeville)  rather  than  at  Washington, 
these  two  places  being  strong  competitors  for  the 
honor.  Mr.  Mercer  favored  the  suggestion,  and  indeed, 
sustained  it  with  a  zeal  and  devotion  uncommon, 
even  for  himself.  It  was,  however,  feared  by  many 
that  the    Mercer  Institute  and    the   Baptist   College 

Cowdry,  J.  W.  Attaway,  Robert  Tolefree,  A.  Williams,  R.  J.  Mil- 
ler. The  present  faculty  are  as  fullows :  Rev.  John  L.  Dagg, 
Prpfpssor  of  Theology  and  President  pro  tern.  ;  B.  O.  Pierce, 
Professor  of  Natural  Philosophy  and  Chemistry,  S.  P.  Sanford, 
Prof.  Maihematic-ij  Rev.  P.  H.  Mell,  Prof.  Languages;  T.  D. 
Martin,  Tutor. 


JESSE    MERCER.  177 

could  not  botli  be  properly  sustained  at  separate  loca- 
tions ;  and  at  last  it  was  resolved  by  a  majority  of  the 
Trustees  of  the  College,  that  the  project  should  be 
abandoned,  and  the  charter  given  up.  Seldom,  if 
ever,  was  Mr.  Mercer  known  to  manifest  so  much 
sensitiveness  and  mortification  at  any  decision  of  his 
brethren.  It  was  evident  that  a  gourd  had  been 
smitten,  in  whose  shade  at  least  in  anticipation,  he 
had  reclined  with  uncommon  interest  and  delight. 
And  it  was  a  rare  occurrence  indeed,  that  the  opinion 
and  influence  of  Mr.  Mercer  should  be  overruled  in 
any  matter  in  which  he  had  taken  such  a  decided 
stand.  Under  such  circumstances,  some  men  would 
have  become  permanently  alienated  from  the  councils 
of  their  brethren,  and  settled  down  into  a  state  of  sul- 
len disquietude,  if  not  of  disgust.  Not  so  Mr.  Mer- 
cer. He  acted  the  part  of  a  truly  magnanimous 
christian.  '■^  I  cannot  work  alone,''^  was  his  emphatic 
declaration,  "  I  tnust  go  icith  tny  hrethren  ;"  and  be- 
fore the  close  of  the  year  he  subscribed  Jive  thousand 
dollars  for  the  endowment  of  the  Collegiate  Depart- 
ment at  Penfield.  From  that  time  he  turned  towards 
the  Institution  in  its  remodelled  character,  the  full  tide 
of  his  good  feelings  and  princely  munificence;  thus, 
presenting  an  example  worthy  the  consideration  of 
all,  especially  of  such  as  are  ready  to  falter  and  draw 
back,  if  in  all  things  tliey  cannot  have  their  oxen  way. 
It  would  be  tedious  to  enlarge  upon  all  the  useful 
services  rendered  by  Mr.  Mercer  to  this  important 
Institution,  aside  from  his  numerous  and  liberal  con- 
tributions. His  frequent  visits  to  the  field  of  its  ope- 
rations, and  often  when  he  was  oppressed  with  bodily 
infirmity ;  his  cheerful  conformity  to  the    genius  of 

9 


178  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  establishment  at  its  first  origin,  when,  for  example 
sake,  and  to  relieve   others  pressed  with  many  cares, 
he  would  stoop  do^vn  and  malxe  up  his  own  bed  ;  his 
unwearied  attention  as  a  member  of  the  Executive 
Committee,  and  of  the  Board  of  Tnistees,  to  all  ne- 
cessary business ;  his  calm  and  patient  endurance  in 
times  of  trial ;    his  wise,  seasonable,  and  apparently 
indispensable  counsel  in  matters  of  special  doubt  and 
difficulty;  his  many  and  fervent  prayers,  in  which  he 
would  so  feelingly  and  appropriately  seek  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Father  of  Lights,  and  commend  the  Insti- 
tution to  his  Almighty  protection — all  these   things, 
and  many  more  which  might  be  specified,  are  deeply 
engraven  upon  the  minds  of  his  surviving  coadjutors  ; 
and  as  they  rise  up  to  recollection,  cannot  fail  to  re- 
mind them  how  highly  they  were  favored  whilst  they 
enjoyed  his  presence  and  aid ;  and  how  much  they 
have  lost  by  his  lamented  death.     The  beneficiaries, 
and  other  students  in  the  seminary,  will  long  remem- 
ber how  often  his  venerated  form  was  seen  in  their 
midst;   with  what  tender  care  he  watched  over  their 
welfare ;    and  how  often  and  how  affectionately  he 
urged  upon  them  his  rich,  paternal  counsels. 

In  speaking  of  Mr.  Mercer's  exertions  in  behalf  of 
the  cause  of  education,  a  reference  might  be  proper 
to  a  valuable  discourse  on  this  subject,  which  he  de- 
livered before  the  Convention  in  1834.  It  was  pub- 
lished by  request  of  the  body,  and  is  entitled  "  Know- 
ledge indispensahle  to  a  Minister  of  God.**  It  is 
founded  on  a  selection  from  the  4th  and  6th  verses  of 
the  6th  chapter  of  2  Corinthians.  **  Approving  our- 
selves as  tJie  ministers  of  God — by  ^noicledge.*'  In 
this  discourse,  two  important  questions  are  discussed  : 


JESSE    MERCER.  179 

*'  1.    What  knowledge  is  necessary  to  a  minister  of 

God  r 

**2.  IIoiv  is  it  attainable  V 

*       *       *        * 

As  to  what  knowledge  is  necessary  to  a  minister  of 
God,  the  author  remarks,  "  To  this  inquiry  we  unhesi- 
tatingly answer — The  Knowledge  op  the  Truth. 
For  we  know  of  no  truth,  the  knowledge  of  which 
would  be  unhnportant  to  a  minister  of  God.  We 
should  like,  dear  friends,  you  would  now  throw  your 
thoughts  over  the  universe,  and  see  if  you  can  dis- 
cover any  truth  which  would  be  unnecessary  to  be 
known  by  a  gospel  minister.  If  it  should  be  said  by 
any,  that  it  ought  to  be  restricted  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus ;  then  we  answer  again, 
that  we  know  of  no  truth  which  is  not  in  Christ  Jesus. 
The  scriptures  declare,  *  It  pleased  the  Father  that  in 
him  all  fulness  should  dwell.'  He  it  is  *  that  filleth  all 
in  allJ  *  He  is  head  over  all  things  to  the  church.' 
And  *  b^^im  all  things  consist.' — Then  we  ask,  what 
truth  is  not  in  Christ  Jesus  ]  But  the  whole  may  be 
summed  up  in  the  knoivledge  of  God  and  his  works. 
— Nay,  God  is  only  to  be  known  through  his  works 
of  nature,  gi'ace,  and  providence." 

"  We  conceive  a  thorough  knowledge  of  God  in 
his  natural  and  moral  perfections,  (on  which  the  scrip- 
ture places  the  highest  value,)  is  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance to  the  minister,  to  fill  him  with  a  holy  rever- 
ence, and  to  guard  him  against  fanciful  constructions 
of  scripture,  and  the  fonning  of  false  systems  of  theol- 
ogy. The  standard  of  tinith  is  in  the  God  of  truth. 
The  most  fruitful  source  of  error  is  ignorance,  or 
vague  notions  of  God.     But  if  God  be  tiiily  known 


180  MEMOIRS    OF 

and  kept  in  view,  it  regulates  all  the  thoughts  of  the 
heart,  and  fixes  the  sentiments  of  the  soul  according- 
ly. Whatever,  therefore,  is  in  strict  accordance  vv^ith 
God's  nature  and  perfections,  must  be  truth ;  and 
whatever  is  inconsistent  therewith,  lioivever  plausible^ 
must  be  false." 

In  considering  the  question,  how  is  this  knowledge 
attainable  %  the  author  makes  some  plain  common- 
sense  observations.  A  few  sentences  only  can  be  co- 
pied. "  This  knowledge,  then,  v/e  say  is  to  be  attain- 
ed only  by  a  close  application  to  the  study  of  the  works 

of  God. 

#       #       #       *       ^ 

*'  It  is  to  he  sought  as  silver.  How  do  men  act, 
when  they  lay  themselves  out  to  get  money  ]  Why, 
they  engage  in  some  mechanism,  profession,  merchan- 
dise, or  agricultural  pursuit,  in  which  they  ply  them- 
selves with  untiring  diligence  to  gain  their  object ;  so 
all  good  men,  but  especially  ministers  of  (^d,  ought 
to  apply  themselves  to  the  acquisition  of  kTO\vledge. 
But  Solomon  uses  a  bolder  comparison.  He  says,  it 
must  be  searched  for  as  for  hid  treasures.  Here 
reference  is  had  to  the  anxious  solicitude — the  patient 
and  indefatigable  perseverance,  with  which  men  dig 
after  the  precious  metals  and  other  valuable  sub- 
stances, hid  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth  ;  which  can  be 
better  conceived  than  described.  But  as  knowledge 
is  more  precious  than  silver,  or  gold,  or  nibies,  it 
ought  to  be  sought  not  only  Avith  equal,  but  superior 
application  and  untiring  diligence  ;  and  then  we  have 
the  encouraging  promise  of  attaining  the  precious 
boon.  And  here  we  would  ask,  why  G-od  hid  his 
most  precious  natural  treasures  in  the  bowels  of  the 


JESSE    MERCER.  181 

earth,  or  rather  why  he  did  not  spread  them  over  its 
face,  so  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  might  just 
go  out  and  gather  up  what  they  needed,  as  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel  did  the  manna  round  about  their  tents  ] 
Why,  for  this  simple  reason,  it  did  not  suit  his  plan. 
He  foiTTied  man  for  labor,  and  constructed  every 
thing  accordingly :  so  that  if  man  obtained  them,  he 
should  dig  deep  for  them :  and  the  harder  for  the 
more  precious. — And  thus,  says  Solomon,  in  the  ac- 
quirement of  knowledge,  '  This  sore  travail  hath  God 
given  to  the  sons  of  man  to  be  exercised  therewith.' 
And  it  is  evident,  that  the  most  deep  and  valuable 
treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge  are  gained  by  the 
most  patient  and  persevering  efforts  of  the  mind." 
*       *       #       *       # 

*'  Jude,  in  describing  these  same  persons,  [false 
teachers,]  says,  verse  10,  '  Thesfe  speak  evil  of  those 
things  which  they  know  not ;  but  w4iat  they  know 
naturally,  as  brute  beasts,  in  those  things  they  cori-upt 
themselves.' 

**  Here  observe,  these  false  teachers  are  reproached 
for  knowing  nothing,  but  what  they  know  naturally, 
as  brute  beasts. — In  order,  brethren,  to  perceive  the 
full  forcGLof  the  contempt  and  derision  thrown  on  these 
pretended  teachers  by  the  apostles,  it  is  necessaiy  to 
conceive  rightly,  how  natural  brute  beasts  acquice 
knowledge — namely,  by  instinct,  or  the  force  of  hab- 
it.— Now,  then,  it  is  plain  that  these  apostles  thought 
it  ridiculous  for  any  man  to  pretend  to  be  a  teacher 
who  knows  nothing,  but  what  he  knows  naturally  as 
brute  beasts,  by  infusion  or  force  of  custom  ;  without 
an  effort  of  the  understanding,  or  the  exercise  of  the 
reason.  'Tis  true,  a  man  residing  in  a  learned  com- 
munity, will  drink  in  Llie  knowledge  of  the  society  he 


182  MEMOIRS    OF 

keeps,  and  may  seem  to  be  learned ;  at  least  he  may 
use  many  learned  words ;  but  not  having  exerted  his 
understanding  and  reason  in  obtaining  it,  but  having 
received  it  as  a  brute  beast  does,  cannot  use  his  know- 
ledge understandingly,  but  rather  as  parrots  do,  and 
therefore  is  ever  subject  to  expose  himself,  and  the 
cause  he  attempts  to  advocate,  to  contempt,  and  his 
hearers  to  deception.  The  Lord  save  us  from  an  ig- 
norant ministry !" 

In  the  conclusion  of  the  discourse,  the  author  an- 
swers some  objections. 

"  But  objection  is  made  to  schools  for  the  educa- 
tion of  young  ministers,  on  the  ground  that  the  in- 
struction afforded  is  human  learning.  To  see  the 
weight  of  this  objection,  it  is  requisite  to  know  what 
the  objectors  intend  by  human  learning.  If  they 
mean  instruction  in  human  inventions,  in  which  the 
knowledge  of  God  and  his  works  are  not  taught,  then 
we  join  heart  and  hand  with  them  to  put  it  down  : 
but  if  they  intend  to  object  to  all  learning,  which  is 
received  by  human  instrumentality,  then  we  most  sin- 
cerely pity  them  as  ignorantly  opposing  the  institu- 
tion of  God ;  for  we  think  no  man  can  read  the  scrip- 
tures, and  not  see  that  God  requires  knowledge  to  be 
imparted  from  the  parents  to  the  children,  and  from 
the  wise  to  the  simple.  But  we  presume  the  objec- 
tion proceeds  altogether  from  a  mistaken  notion  of  the 
nature  an  1  design  of  the  instructions  given  in  those 
schools.  They  have  heard  of  geography,  geology, 
chemistry,  history,  astronomy,  philosophy,  and  theolo- 
gy; *  *  *  but  what  is  the  study  of  these,  but  the  study 
of  the  works  of  God,  in  creation,  and  pi  evidence,  and 


JESSE    MERCER.  183 

grace  1  For  instance  r  Is  the  cartk  the  Lord's  1  Ge- 
ography  describes  it,  in  its  extent,  with  its  different 
soils,  climates,  and  productions — its  inhabitants,  with 
their  various  religions,  laws,  and  customs. 

"  Geology  gives  a  view  of  its  state,  and  teaches  the 
nature  of  its  pebbles  and  mighty  rocks,  stupendous 
mountains  and  majestic  sejis  :  where  the  wonders  of 
God  are  seen. 

"  Chemistry  enables  us  to  discover  and  separate 
the  peculiar  properties  of  all  natural  bodies,  and  learn 
their  various  uses. 

"  History  teaches  us  the  events  of  time — the  rise 
and  downfall  of  nations  and  kingdoms,  together  v/ith 
a  minute  account  of  those  facts  which  have  transpired 
under  the  providence  of  God,  in  the  successive  gene- 
rations of  earth ;  so  indispensable  to  a  light  under- 
standing of  scripture. 

"  Astronomy  teaches  us  of  the  heavenly  bodies — the 
sun,  moon,  and  stars — their  distances,  magnitudes, 
and  velocities — wherein  is  declared  the  glory  of  God, 
and  shown  his  handiwork. 

"  Philosoj^hy  teaches  the  nature  and  reason  of 
things.  It  is  the  system  in  which  general  causes  and 
effects  are  explained ;  and  mind,  both  human  and  di- 
vine, with  all  its  natural  properties  and  moral  powers, 
is  examined  and  exhibited  in  its  dignity,  beauty,  and 
moral  excellence. 

"  Theology  teaches  of  divine  things.  It  is  the  stu- 
dy of  the  Bible — a  critical  examination  into  its  lan- 
guage— the  modes  and  figures  of  speech  employed  in 
it — the  manners  and  customs  of  the  times  in  which  it 
was  WTitten — and  the  best  rules  of  construction,  in 
order  to  come  at  the  truth,  taught  in  that  sacred 
volume. 


184  MEMOIRS    OF 

"  Thus  you  see,  brethren,  the  instruction  given, 
under  these  and  such  like  heads,  in  the  schools,  are 
not  about  the  inventions  and  theories  of  men  of  cor- 
rupt minds,  but  of  the  truth  of  God  as  displayed  in 
his  w^orks  of  nature  and  grace ;  and  as  such  proper, 
that  the  mind  of  a  minister  of  God  should  be  deeply 
imbued  with  it. 

"Again,  objection  is  made  to  the  Convention,  as 
opposing  a  call  to  the  ministry,  and  designing  to  rear 
up  a  set  of  graceless  preachers.  In  reply  to  the  first 
cause  of  complaint,  we  say  the  Convention  believes 
that  no  man  ought  to  attempt,  or  be  encouraged  to 
preach  the  gospel,  imtil  he  has  a  full  satisfaction  in 
his  own  conscience,  that  God  requires  it  of  him,  and 
can  afford  his  brethren  the  same  satisfaction  in  regard 
to  it.  And  as  to  the  second,  we  say,  that  one  of  the 
first  requirements  for  admission  is,  that  the  applicant 
must  be  licensed  to  preach  by  the  church  of  which 
he  is  a  member,  and  be  approved  by  surrounding 
churches — so  that  if  the  Convention  should  unfortu- 
nately contribute  to  raise  up  a  set  of  graceless  minis- 
ters, the  churches  shall  share  in  the  first  blame. 

**And  now,  dear  brethren  in  the  ministry,  let  us 
enjoin  on  you  the  acquisition  of  knowledge ;  by  the 
right  use  of  which  you  may  approve  yourselves  as  the 
ministers  of  God.  We  urge  this  on  you,  that  you 
may  understand  the  Bible — the  Bible  is  a  learned 
book,  and  cannot  be  understood  well  without  much 
pious  knowledge  and  learning.  He  who  now  ad- 
dresses you  regrets  that  he  knows  so  little  of  the  Bi- 
ble. Afler  reading  and  studying  it  for  near  half  a 
century  in  some  sort,  he  has  to  make  this  humbling 
confession,  that  he  knows  to  his  shame,  comparative- 
ly but  little  of  the  Bible.     This  he  does  not  §ay  for 


iESSE    MERCER.  185 

his  own  sake,  but  for  yours,  young  brethren,  that  you 
may  devote  your  youthful  days  to  the  acquisition  of 
all  possible  useful  knowledge.  Give  yourselves  to 
reading  and  study,  that  you  may  be  approved  unto 
God,  and  that  your  profiting  may  appeal'  to  all ;  to 
the  honor  of  God  and  the  advancement  of  the  kino^- 

o 

dom  of  Christ.     Amen." 

A  few  remarks  of  Mr.  Mercer  on  the  subject  of  ed- 
ucation, which  appeared  under  the  editorial  head  of 
the  Christian  Index  in  August,  1834,  will  close  this 
chapter. 

**  Education  is  not,  in  the  leasts  designed,  so  far  as 
we  know,  among  Baptists,  by  any  who  are  cngao-ed 
to  promote  it  in  the  ministry,  to  usurp  the  place  or 
take  the  power  of  any  of  those  gifts,  talents,  or  mental 
endowments  which  God  by  his  holy  Spirit  imparts, 
I  nd  without  which  no  man  has  any  right  to  pretend 
to  be  a  minister  of  God.  But  only  to  assist  him,  in 
those  qualifications  which  it  becomes  him  to  possess, 
in  order  to  discharge  the  duties  incumbent  on  him  by 
the  gifts  and  appointment  of  God.  Can  ministers  be 
considered,  in  regard  to  divine  influence  and  power, 
what  a  cork  is  to  the  stream  on  which  it  floats — hav- 
ing no  care,  no  interest,  no  duty  or  concern  as  to  how 
their  ministry  is  perfonned  ]  Or  are  they  to  be  view- 
ed as  ambassadors,  whose  duty  it  is  to  prepare  for, 
and  endeavor  to  perform  the  duties  of  their  appoint- 
ment in  the  best  manner  possible  ]  The  scrij^ture 
will  decide  the  question  in  the  affirmative  in  accord- 
ance with  the  voice  of  reason  and  common  sense. 

"  Education  is  in  nowise  designed  as  a  mere  en- 
dowment or  accomplishment,   whereby  the  man  by 

9* 


186  MEMOIRS    Of 

the  use  of  high  and  learned  words,  may  raise  the  ad^ 
miration    of  his    hearers ;    or   by  the    excellency   of 
epeech  and  enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  gain  the 
applause  of  the  great  of  the  world.     These  are  mo- 
tives utterly  unworthy  the  minister  of  Christ.     But  to 
enable  him,  in  the  use  of  right  words,  to  set  forth  the 
truth  to  his  fellow  men,  in  the  most  plain  and  forcible 
manner.      We   consider  education   to   the   minister, 
what  clothes  are  to  a  man.     They  have  no  powet  in 
them  to  make  the  man,  yet  they  are  very  necessary 
both  to  his  comfort,  and  to  render  him  acceptable  to 
his  fellow  men.     So  education  is  very  necessary  to 
the  happiness  and  acceptance   of  a  minister  in  the 
course  of  his  ministry.     Suppose   God  was  to  call  a 
poor  young  man  to  go  and  preach  the  gospel ;  and  he 
had  no  suitable  clothes,  nor  means  to  get  them,  would 
it  not  be  right  for  his  brethren  who  were  able,  to  sup- 
ply them  1     Doubtless  it  would.-     So  also,  should  God 
call  a  poor  young  man  destitute  of  the  learaing  which 
would  render  him  an  acceptable  preacher,  would  it 
not  be  proper  to  put  him  to  reading  and  study,  in  or- 
der that  his  profiting  might  appear  to  all  ? 

"  Again  :  The  minister  is  a  workman  for  God,  and 
words  are  his  tools.  A  mechanic,  to  do  good  work, 
must  have  a  variety,  and  a  knowledge  of  the  use  of 
tools.  So  a  minister,  to  do  good  work  in  preaching 
for  God,  must  have  a  fund,  and  be  acquainted  with 
the  right  use  of  words.  But  how  shall  he  attain  to 
this  right  use  of  words,  unless  he  studies  it  %  Does 
God  give  the  knowledge  of  language  now  ]  It  would 
seem  that  many  think,  the  less  a  man  is  educated,  the 
more  plain,  forcible  and  useful  he  is  as  a  preacher ; 
but  the  fact  is  exactly  the  reverse.  It  ought  to  be  ap- 
parent to  every  one,  that  the  less  a  man  knows,  the 


JESSE    MERCEIC  187 

poorer  must  be  his  stock  of  words,  and  the  less  his 
capacity  to  use  them  advantageously.  The  man  of 
understandintT  and  wisdom  alone  can  use  knowledsfe 
aright.  He  that  knows  the  power  of  words,  can  use 
them  to  express  his  ideas  plainly  ;  and  this  is  the  pro- 
per use  of  education.  The  leamed  minister  of  God, 
under  the  influence  of  a  right  spirit,  will  use  his  know- 
ledge to  present  tmth,  not  floridly,  hut  clearly ;  not 
in  the  eloquence  of  human  wisdom,  hut  in  the  simpli- 
city of  demonstration,  commending  himself  to  every 
man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God. 

"  We  close  these  remarks  by  saying,  that  the  argu- 
ment drawn  from  the  gifts  and  promises  of  God  to  in- 
sj)ired  men,  in  favor  of  the  advantages  of  ministers  now, 
is,  in  our  judgment,  a  very  deceptive  one ;  because 
the  analogy  is  not  true.  Prophets  and  apostles  doubt- 
less had  a  peculiar  degree  of  inspiration,  by  which 
their  writings  constitute  the  ixspired  scriptures  ; 
but  will  any  man  pretend  that  ministers  are  7iotv  in- 
spired so  that  their  sermons  may  with  equal  propriety 
be  styled  inspired  sermons  ?  If  so,  the  scriptures  are 
not  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice,  but  these  ser- 
mons have  equal  claim.  We  think  the  absurdity  of 
such  a  sentiment  will  fully  refute  the  argument,  and 
lead  us  to  depend  alone  on  the  holy  scriptures  for  all 
our  knowledge  of  the  mind  and  will  of  God,  in  all 
matters  of  faith  and  duty." 


188  MEMOIRS    OF 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Mr.  Mercer's  efforts  in  the  Missionary  cause. — Formation  of  the 
Powelton  Mission  Society. — Mission  Board  of  the  Georgia  Asso- 
ciation.— Mission  to  the  Creeks.— His  favorite  argument  for  Mis- 
sions.— Letters  in  defence  of  benevolent  plans,  from  the  Index. — 
Letter  to  Mr.  Shuck. — To  Mr.  BoUes  on  the  AboHtion  Excite- 
ment.— Remarks  from  the  Index  on  the  same  subject. — His  kind 
feelings  tov/ards  the  northern  brethren. — Skeleton  of  a  Missionary 
Sermon. — Letter  on  the  "  Imprisonment  of  the  Missionaries  to 
the  Cherokees." 

The  blessed  cause  of  Missions  was  ever  dear  to  the 
heart  of  Mr.  Mercer.     It  might  be  said  that  he  was, 
in  truth,  an  active  and  efficient  domestic  missionary 
for  nearly  thirty  years,  a  large  portion  of  that  time 
being  actually  spent  in  itinerant  labor.     An  interest 
in  foreign  missionary  operations  was  roused  in  his 
bosom   at  an   early  period,  by  the    accounts  which 
reached  this   country  through  Rippon's  Register,  in 
relation  to  the  labors  of  the  English  Baptists  in  India. 
After  the  return  of  Mr.  Rice  from  the  East,  he  soon 
caught  the  fire  which  was  scattered  abroad  by  that 
wonderful  man,  and  communicated  it  to  his  churches. 
Thence  the  sacred  leaven  soon  found  its  way  into  the 
Georgia  Association.     In  the  minutes  of  that  body  for 
1814,  is  found  the  following  record  :   "  According  to 
a  suggestion   in   the   letter  from   the  Whatley's  Mill 
Church,  Brother  Mercer  presented  and  read  the  Cir- 
cular and  Constitution  of  the  '  Savannah  Baptist  So- 
ciety FOR  Foreign  Missions,'  and  then  moved  for 
the  approbation  of  the  Association,  which  was  given 
most  willingly  and  unanimously.     Whereupon  it  was 
thought  proper  to  recommend  the  subject,  for  its  evi- 


JKSWK    MEIICEK.  189 

dent  importance,  to  the  consideration  of  the  churches  ; 
and  Friday  before  the  first  Sabbath  in  May  next  was 
named  as  a  day  on  which  all,  who  were  individually 
disposed,  as  well  of  other  Associations  as  our  own, 
might  meet  at  Powelton,  in  Hancock  county,  to  form 
a  Society,  and  digest  a  plan  to  aid  in  the  glorious 
effort  to  evangelize  the  j^oor  heathen  in  idolatrous 
landsT 

Pursuant  to  this  notice,  a  number  of  brethren  and 
fiiends  assembled  at  Powelton  on  the  5th  of  INIay, 
1815,  and  formed  "  The  Powelton  Baptist  Society  for 
Foreign  Missions."  Of  this  highly  useful  and  respect- 
able Society,  Mr.  Mercer  was  President,  and  Gov. 
Rabun,  Recording  Secretary.  The  amount  raised 
the  first  year  for  missionary  purposes,  was  nearly  five 
hundred  dollars.  The  following  is  the  conclusion  of 
a  brief  account  of  the  origin  and  first  year's  operations 
of  the  Society.  "  In  the  conclusion  of  this  brief 
sketch,  the  Board  of  Directors  cannot  forbear  ex- 
pressing their  gratitude  to  the  Father  of  Mercies,  that 
success  has  attended  their  exertions,  far  beyond  their 
most  sanguine  expectations  ;  and  although  the  friends 
and  patrons  of  the  Institution  have  been  obliged  to 
encounter  the  frowns  of  some  and  the  prejudices  of 
others,  we  still  believe  the  cause  is  God's,  and  must 
ultimately  prevail.  For  we  recollect,  that  when  the 
Lord  inspired  his  people  with  a  disposition  to  rebuild 
his  temple,  he  inspired  the  hearts  of  many  others  to 
assist  in  furnishing  the  means :  And  notwithstanding 
a  Sanhallat  and  Tobiah  were  permitted  again  and 
again  to  hinder  the  work,  yet  the  most  ample  success 
crowned  the  efforts  of  the  feeble  few.  And  can  we 
believe  that  less  certainty  will  be  manifested  in  the 
erection  i)f  the  great  spiritual  temple,  the  materials  of 


19Q  BIKMOIRS  O^ 

which  are  now  scattered  abroad  in  all  parts  of  the 
world  ]  No  ;  we  cannot,  we  will  not  indulge  the  un- 
generous thought,  but  will  rather  look  forward  and 
hail  the  approach  of  the  glorious  period,  when  the 
great  trumpet  shall  be  blown,  and  those  who  are 
ready  to  perish  shall  come  from  the  east  and  the  west, 
and  from  the  north  and  the  south,  and  shall  sit  down 
at  our  Emmanuel's  feet,  and  learn  and  feel  his  grace." 

The  same  year,  (1815)  the  Georgia  Association 
unanimously  agreed  to  co-operate  with  the  Baptist 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  resolved  itself  into  a 
body  for  Missionary  purposes,  and  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee, of  which  Mr.  Mercer  was  chairman,  to  digest 
rules  for  its  regulation ;  to  address  a  circular  to  the 
churches  upon  the  interesting  and  important  subject^ 
and  to  hold  correspondence  with  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Board. 

At  the  session  of  1S16,  the  above  named  Commit- 
tee reported  a  system  of  Rules  for  the  regulation  of 
the  Mission aiy  operations  of  the  body,  which  with 
some  amendment  were  adopted.  By  these  regula- 
tions, the  Association  was  required  to  choose  annually 
seven  Tinistees,  to  be  denominated  "  The  Mission 
Board  of  the  Georgia  Association,"  and  to  be  a 
component  member  of  the  General  Missionary  Con- 
vention, and  also  the  organ  of  domestic  missions,  ac- 
cording to  the  openings  of  Providence,  the  means  in 
hand,  and  the  instructions  of  the  Association  ;  or  as 
their  own  judgment  might  direct  from  time  to  time. 

The  Mission  Board,  regularly  appointed  in  accord- 
ance with  the  above  regulation,  prosecuted  its  busi- 
ness with  much  success  for  many  years,  assisted  in 
the  estabhshment  of  a  Mission  amongst  the  Creeks, 
received  and  disbursed  considerable  sums  gf  money, 


j£SS£    MBRC£IU  191 

kept  up  a  correspondence  with  the  General  Board, 
and  presented  to  the  Association  from  year  to  year 
spirited  and  animating  reports  of  their  proceedings, 
and  of  the  general  condition  of  the  cause  of  missions. 
Mr.  Mercer  was  uniformly  appointed  as  a  member  of 
this  Board,  was  generally  its  President,  and  invaria- 
bly one  of  its  most  liberal  and  efficient  supporters. 
In  1820,  and  1826,  he  represented  this  body  in  the 
General  Convention.  At  length  the  Cieorgia  Associa- 
tion concluded  to  dispense  with  the  separate  agency 
of  their  Board,  and  merged  their  operations  in  those  of 
the  State  Convention. 

In  1820  a  plan  for  Indian  reform  was  organized 
imder  the  direction  of  managers  apj^ointed  by  the 
Ocmulgee,  Georgia,  and  Ebenezer  Associations. 
These  managers  were  denominated  **  The  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  co-operating  Baptist  Associations,  for 
instructino:  and  evano:elizincr  the  Creek  Indians."  Of 
this  Board,  which  continued  in  operation  some  years, 
and  at  one  time  had  several  missionaries  in  its  em- 
ploy, Mr.  Mercer  was  an  active  member,  and  for  a 
while,  the  coifespOiiding  secretary. 

Mr.  Mercer  often  preached  on  the  subject  of  mis- 
sions, to  his  churches,  at  the  anniversary  meetings  of 
the  various  associations  which  he  attended,  and  at 
other  convenient  times  on  his  numerous  excursions 
through  the  country.  Multitudes  will  long  remember 
with  what  sweetness,  pathos  and  power  he  would  ex- 
patiate upon  the  last  commission  of  the  ascending 
Saviour,  and  point  out  the  future  glories  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom,  as  delineated  on  the  pages  of 
prophecy.  Upon  many  portions  of  Isaiah  he  dwelt 
with  peculiar  delight.  A  very  favorite  argument 
with  him,  was  one  that  he  drew  from  Acts  13  :  47, 


1^2  MEMOIR*  Oi 

compared  with  Isa.  49  :  6.  "  Notice,"  says  Mr.  Mer^ 
cer,  **  the  language  of  Paul  and  Barnabas  after  having 
declared  that,  in  consequence  of  the  wilful  rejection 
of  the  word  of  God  by  the  Jews,  they  would  turn  to 
the  gentiles,  they  add,  '  Fo?-  so  hatli  the  Ltord  com- 
manded Its ;  saying,  /  have  set  thee  to  he  a  light  of 
the  gentiles,  that  thou  shouldest  he  for  salvation  unto 
the  ends  of  the  earths  Now  observe,  that  what  these 
inspired  men  present  to  our  view  in  the  form  of  a 
command,  we  find  in  Isaiah,  from  -svhich  they  quote 
it,  in  the  character  of  a  simple  prediction  :  we  have, 
therefore,  inspired  authority  for  this  inference,  that 
old-testament  prophecy  is  new-testament  command. 
Thus  we  are  to  regard  all  the  predictions  of  the 
prophets  in  relation  to  the  advancement  of  Christ's 
kingdom,  and  the  salvation  of  the  world,  as  invested 
with  the  power  and  authority  of  divine  commands,  re- 
quiring us  to  labor  and  pray  for  their  accomplish- 
ment." To  one  who  beheld  imbodied  in  every  line 
which  exhibited  the  future  triumphs  of  divine  truths 
the  majesty  of  unalterable  law,  who  heard,  as  it  were, 
the  commission  of  the  Saviour,  '■'■  go  ye  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,^''  burst- 
ing from  the  lips  of  every  prophet  who  had  spoken  of 
the  glory  of  the  Messiah's  kingdom,  the  bible  must 
have  been  indeed  a  missionary  hook  ;  and  the  indi- 
vidual that  would  act  in  accordance  with  such  con- 
victions, (and  so  did  our  venerable  father,)  could  be 
nothing  less  than  an  untiring  and  zealous  defender 
of  the  missionary  cause. 

Strange  to  tell,  there  have  been  many  opposers. 
Some  of  them,  Mr.  Mercer  had  reason  to  fear  were 
influenced  in  their  opposition  by  unworthy  motives  ; 
but  as  many  honest  and  pious  persons  were  led  astray 


JESSE    MERCER.  193 

by  the  unscriptural  arguments,  eiToneous  statements, 
and  unhappy  examples  of  their  leaders,  he  did  not 
deem  it  an  unworthy  or  needless  service  to  meet,  both 
fns>m  the  pulpit  and  from  the  press,  the  various  cavils 
and  pretended  arguments  which,  from  time  to  time, 
had  been  raised  against  the  missionary  enterprise. 
Its  opposers,  with  strange  misconception,  or  as  some 
would  think,  with  strange  effrontery,  claimed  for 
themselves  the  honor  of  being  2)^'i'nitive  or  old  school 
Baptists  !  How  just  and  honorable  their  high  claims 
appeared  under  the  scriptural  arguments  and  histori- 
cal facts  poured  upon  them  by  Mr.  Mercer,  need  not 
here  be  stated.  He  that  may  have  seen  a  millstone 
fall  upon  the  little  moth,  or  the  swollen  toiTent  bear- 
ing away  upon  its  wave  the  trash  of  a  summer  stub- 
ble field,  can  well  understand  the  merits  of  this  con- 
troversy. 

From  a  series  of  letters,  published  in  the  Index 
early  in  1836,  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  the  inqui- 
ries of  a  christian  brother,  the  two  following  are  se- 
lected. They  do  not  seem  to  be  confined  to  the  mis- 
sionary cause  exclusively,  but -embrace  the  various 
objects  of  benevolent  effort. 

*'Dear  Brother  A. 

"  In  my  last  to  you,  I  proposed  to  make  '  the  new 
schemes  and  their  tendencies*  the  subject  of  a  future 
reply ;  and  now  I  proceed  to  the  performance  of  it. 
*'  It  is  plain,  from  a  review  of  H.'s  inquiries,  that 
by  *  new  movements — new  jylans — and  new  schemes^*  he 
intends  the  various  social  operations  of  these  days  ; 
such  as  Bible,  Missionary,  Tract,  Sunday  School  and 
Temperance  Societies.  These  are  considered  as  evil, 
not  only  in  themselves,  but  because  they  are  new. — 


194  MEMOIRS    OF 

Hence,  they  of  the  opposition,  call  themselves  *  Old 
School  Baptists.^  But  such  an  insinuation  indicates 
the  belief,  not  only  that  the  Baptists  had,  in  their  ope- 
rations to  further,  instrumentally ^  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  in  the  earth,  attained  to  perfection ;  but  a  la- 
mentable want  of  scriptural  knowledge.  I  suppose, 
however,  the  first  will  not  be  seriously  pretended; 
and  by  the  latter,  it  will  be  shown  that  the  path-way 
of  the  Lord's  people  through  the  wilderness  of  this 
world,  is  as  the  shining  light,  that  shineth  more  and 
more  unto  the  perfect  day ;  (Prov.  4  :  18) ;  and  that 
in  the  ages  to  come — the  dispensation  of  the  fulness  of 
the  times,  God  will  make  known  hy  the  Church,  his 
manifold  wisdom ;  or  the  exceeding  riches  of  his 
grace  by  new  and  increased  labors.  (Eph.  2:7.  3  : 
10.)  There  will  then  be  something  new  constantly 
transpiring.  For  instance,  when  the  mountain  of  the 
Lord's  house,  (or  the  church,)  shall  be  estahlished  in 
the  top  of  the  mountains,  and  all  the  nations  shall 
flow  unto  it,  (Isa.  2  :  2,)  there  vrill  be  something  new  ! 
And  when  '  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  shall  become 
the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  his  Christ ;  and  his 
do7ninion  shall  be  from  sea  to  sea,  and  from  the  river 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth  ;'  then  will  there  be  some- 
thing Tiew .'  (Rev,  11  :  15.  Zech.  9  :  10.)  Moreover, 
when  the  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge 
and  glory  of  God,  then  there  will  be  something  glo- 
riously 7iew  !  (Isa.  11:9.  Ps.  72  :  19.) 

"  Again  ;  when  '  Israel  (the  church,)  shall  blossom 
and  bud,  and  fill  the  face  of  the  world  with  fruit, ^ — 
there  will  have  been  done  something  new.  (Isa.  27:6.) 
And  when  the  church  shall  have  enlarged  the  place 
of  her  habitations,  and  broke  forth  on  every  side,  so 
a£  that  her  sons  shall  make  the  desolate  cities  of  the 


JESSE    MERCER.  195 

gentiles  to  be  inhabited  by  the  redeemed  of  the 
Lord ;  there  will  have  been  done  something  glori- 
ously new  !  And  when  the  people  of  the  saints  of  the 
Most  High  shall  take  the  kingdom  and  possess  it, 
because  it  shall  he  given  to  them,  in  the  greatness 
thereof,  under  the  tcholc  heaven  ;  then  there  will  have 
been  done  something  wondrously  new  !  (Dan.  7  :  18 
— 27.)  God  declares  emphatically,  *  Behold,  I  make 
all  things  new  .''  And  it  must  be  very  evident  to  any 
sober  bible  reader  that  7iew  things  will  be  transpiring 
in  every  generation  of  men,  until  the  final  consumma- 
tion of  all  things.  And  it  will  be  as  readily  seen, 
that  as  new  dispensations  succeed  each  other,  and  as 
changing  vicissitudes  arise,  it  will  be  indispensable  to 
concert  flans  of  action  to  suit  the  exigencies  of  the 
times  and  accomplish  those  things  which  may  be  re- 
quisite for  the  carrying  forward  of  the  cause  of  Christ 
in  the  earth.  It  is  obvious  too,  that  no  community 
can  move  in  concert  in  the  performance  of  any  work, 
hut  hy  counsel.  Solomon  says,  '  Where  no  counsel  is, 
the  peojjle  fall :  and  without  counsel  purposes  are 
disappointed :  but  in  the  multitude  of  counsellors 
they  are  established — there  is  safety.'  (Prov.  11  :  14. 
15  :  22.)  If  Christ  has  constituted  his  people  the 
light  of  the  world,  and  commanded  them  to  let  their 
light  50  shine;  or  to  make  known  the  riches  of  his 
grace  among  all  nations  for  obedience  to  the  faith ; 
and  at  the  same  time  to  wage  an  intemiinable  war 
with  the  powers  of  darkness ;  it  follows,  as  a  matter 
of  necessary  consequence,  that  they  must  meet  in 
Convention,  and  by  wise  counsel  adopt  such  plans  as 
shall  be  judged  best  adapted  to  effect  the  objects  in 
view.  Accordingly,  the  Apostles  assembled  at  vari- 
ous times,  passed  resolutions  for  different  purposes ; 


196  MEMOIRS    OF 

and  finally  they  in  conference  assigned  to  each  other 
their  sphere  of  labor  in  effectuating  their  Master's 
great  command ;  "  Go  ye  into  the  world  and  preach 
the  gosjjel  to  every  creatureP  See  Gal.  2  :  6 — 9. 
Those  useful  schemes  or  plans  of  operation,  which 
were  established  in  his  day,  Paul  enjoins  it  on  Titus 
to  urge  and  affirm  constantly,  that  they  who  have  be- 
lieved in  God  might  be  careful  to  inaintain  good 
works. — And  again ;  *  Let  ours  also  learn  to  maintain 
good  works  for  necessary  uses,  that  they  be  not  un- 
frmtful!  (Titus  3  :  8,  14.)  Now,  what  are  these  good 
works,  which  are  to  be  urged  on  the  observance  of  the 
brethren  with  so  much  care,  but  those  plans  or  institu- 
tions, which  were  established  as  best  calculated  to  pro- 
mote the  general  interests  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ, 
and  the  good  of  all  men  %  And  what  is  it  to  maintain 
these  good  works,  but  to  give  aid  and  support  to  them, 
so  that  the  ends  proposed  may  not  fail  %  But  without 
counsel  lyurposes  are  disappointed,  and  the  jj^^P^^ 
fall !  !  If  this  be  true,  should  not  our  brethren,  who 
oppose  in  toto,  the  schemes  of  benevolence  now  in 
operation,  fear  the  consequences  of  their  own  te- 
merity '?  But  why  do  they  oppose  them  1  Is  it  be- 
cause they  are  calculated  to  do  evil  1  Is  it  because 
it  is  an  evil  work  to  supply  the  unregenerated  world 
with  the  bible — or  to  endeavor  to  send  the  gospel 
hy  the  living  preacher  (as  near  as  can  be  come  at, 
called  of  God  to  the  work)  to  all  the  nations  of  the 
earth,  that  they  may  be  saved,  (1  Thes.  2  :  16) — or  to 
write  pieces  on  important  subjects,  and  send  them 
abroad ;  or  to  direct  them  to  certain  individuals — or 
to  combine  to  raise  our  children  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord — or  to  unite  to  suppress  ini- 
quity in  any  shape  ;  but  especially  in  that  odious  and 


JESSB    MERCER.  197 

most  destructive  foiTti — Drunkenness  1  Surely  not ! ! 
Perhaps  tliey  will  say  *  yes ;  we  will  have  our 
churches  and  associations ;  but  we  will  have  nothinjr 
to  do  with  these  societies.'  That  is,  they  will  have 
nothiTig  to  do  in  publishing  the  word  of  God  to  the 
world — nothing  to  do  in  furnishing  a  preacher  to  those 
who  sit  in  the  region  and  shadow  of  death,  that  they 
may  hear  of  a  precious  Saviour,  believe  and  be  saved ; 
(Rom.  10  :  11,  15.)  nothing  to  do  in  giving  them  any 
means,  not  even  a  tract  by  which  they  tnay  he  saved  ; 
(Rom.  11  :  14;) — nothing  to  do,  in  having  their  chil- 
dren taught  in  the  scriptures  by  suitable  teachers  in 
Sunday  schools — nothing  to  do  in  reforming  the  in- 
temperate, or  in  making  an  effort  to  save  a  poor  de- 
luded and  infatuated  fellow  man  from  a  drunkard's 
grave,  and  a  miserable  family  from  ruin.  I  ask  in  the 
name  of  common  sense, —  What  icill  they  do  ? 

"  But,  pressed  for  time  and  perceiving  that  I  shall 
stretch  out  my  reply  too  long,  I  beg  leave  to  pause 
here,  and  make  *  the  tendencies'  the  subject  of  a  sepa- 
rate number. 

"I  am,  dear  Brother  A., 

"  Yours,  truly, 

"Jesse  Mercer." 

"Dear  Brother  A. 

"  I  proceed  to  consider  some  of  the  supposed 
tendencies  of  the  *  new  schemes,'  patronized  in  our 
days. 

"  It  is  asked  *  whether  they  have  not  uniformly  op- 
erated to  produce  dissatisfaction,  and  destroy  fellow- 
ship ]  I  think  it  quite  probable  they  have  ever  had 
this  tendency  in  a  greater  or  Jess  degree. 

"  The  new  movements  of  our  Lord  and  his  apostles 


198  MEMOIRS    OP 

had  this  tendency.  The  nature  and  influence  of  his 
miracles  induced  many  to  become  Christ's  disciples ; 
but  when  they  heard  his  doctrine  of  salvation  by  grace 
alone,  and  his  requisitions  of  self-denial  and  practical 
godliness  as  indispensable  to  discipleship ;  they  were 
offended,  and  went  away  and  walked  no  more  with 
him.  Christ  told  his  disciples  not  to  think  that  he 
was  come  into  the  world  *  to  send  peace  ;  hut  rather 
division — a  sword.     (Matt.  10  :  34.     Luke  12  :  51.) 

"  But  why  was  all  this  1  Because,  not  only  that 
the  unregenerate  heart  of  proud  man,  could  not  sub- 
mit to  his  doctrine  of  tJie  neiv  hirth  ;  but  also  many 
of  the  religious  Jews,  however  pious,  were  not  pre- 
pared to  admit  his  *  new  measures  ;  and  therefore  op- 
posed them,  they  being  of  the  old  Mosaic  school. 
And  we  find  that  the  same  spirit  of  opposition  to  the 
new  schemes  and  inovements  of  the  apostles,  to  carry 
out  the  commands  of  their  Lord,  to  establish  his  king- 
dom ill  all  the  world,  was  ever  and  anon  stining  up 
strife  and  exciting  contentions  and  divisions  amongst 
the  churches.  Although  the  prophets  had  before  de- 
clared that  the  name  of  the  Lord  should  be  made 
known  in  all  the  earth,  by  the  rising  of  Zion,  to  whose 
liffht  the  Gentiles  should  come,  and  kins^s  to  the 
brightness  of  her  rising ;  (See  Isa.  chapters  42  and 
60)  and  Christ  had  in  accordance  therewith,  com- 
manded his  disciples  to  preach  his  gospel  to  the  ends 
of  the  earth ;  yet,  such  was  their  overweening  pre- 
possessions in  favor  of  Judaism,  that  they  strenuously 
opposed  every  attempt  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the 
heathen  that  they  might  be  saved.  For  instance  ; 
even  Peter  was  so  prejudiced  against  going  to  the 
Gentiles,  though  his  Lord  and  Master  had  commanded 
him  (with  the  rest)  to  go  into  all  the  world  and  preach 


JESSE    MERCER.  199 

the  gospel  to  every  creature,  that  a  vision  from  heaven 
must  descend  to  convince  him  of  his  duty ;  and  when 
by  this  extraordinary  occurrence,  he  was  constrained 
to  go,  on  his  return  to  Jerusalem,  his  brethren  called 
him  to  a  severe  account  for  it. 

"  Now  it  is  quite  evident  that  the  apostles  called  a 
convention,  and  held  a  conference  on  this  subject, 
(Gal.  2  :  6,  9 ;)  and  when  they  perceived  that  it  was 
the  will  of  God,  and  that  he  had  called  Paul  and  Bar- 
nabas to  that  work,  (a  fact  not  to  be  overlooked,)  they 
gave  them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  that  they 
should  go  unto  the  heathen  ;  not  only  as  a  token  of 
approbation  but  of  confirmation.  Nevertheless,  there 
^^as  opposition  still.  For  while  Paul  was  at  Ephe- 
sus,  he  says  (1  Cor.  16  :  9,)  * «  great  door  and  effectual 
is  opened  unto  me,  and  there  are  many  adversaries^ 
And  in  Thessalonica.the  Jews  rose  u^fordidding  the 
aj)0stles  to  preach  to  the  Gentiles,  that  they  might  be 
saved.  (1  Thes.  2  :  16.)  And  still  more  pertinent — 
There  were  certain  brethren,  who  went  among  the 
Gentiles  for  Christ's  sake,  taking  nothing  of  them  for 
their  support  ;  whom  Gains  had  received  and  relieved. 
For  this  act  of  benevolence,  Gaius  is  commended  very 
highly  by  the  Apostle  John  (3  John ;)  and  then  he 
adds,  '  We  therefore,  ought  to  receive  such,  that  we 
might  he  fellow-helpers  to  the  truth.*  Receive  such. 
How  ?  but  as  Gaius  had  done ;  affording  them  that 
support,  they  had  refused  to  take  of  the  Gentiles ;  or 
else  how  should  we,  in  receiving  them,  be  fellow-help- 
ers to  the  truth,  in  their  ministry  ?  The  apostle  \vi'ote 
to  the  church  on  this  account,  no  doubt  stirring  them 
up  to  this  duty.  But  there  was  one  Diotrephes,  who 
loved  to  have  the  pre-eminence  among  them,  received 
not  the  apostle,  in  this  apostolic  letter,  nor  these  mis- 


SOO  MEMOIRS    OF 

sionary  brethren,  and  forbade  them  that  would  have 
received  them,  and  cast  them  out  of  the  church.  How 
picturesque  !  How  often  has  this  high  handed  oppo- 
sition been  acted  out  in  more  modem  times  ]  How 
many  letters  and  other  writings  on  missionaiy  sub- 
jects, have  been  refused  a  reading,  and  thrown  under 
the  table  %  How  many  of  the  brethren,  of  the  effort 
cast,  have  been  refused  the  use  of  meeting  houses, 
and  cast  out ;  or  excommunicated  as  far  as  practica- 
ble, by  declarations  of  non-fellowship,  &c.  1  All  such, 
I  take  to  be  of  the  household  of  Diotrephes.  How- 
ever, I  cannot  envy  their  pre-eminence  arising  from 
this  relationship  ;  but  rather  give  me  an  humble  con- 
nexion with  the  excellent  Demetrius. 

*'  But  do  the  preachers,  who  are  opposed  to  these 
neiv  plans,  preach  the  same  doctrine  that  Abraham 
Marshall  and  Silas  Mercer  did  ]  I  presume  they  do, 
essentially  preach  the  same  doctrine,  with  this  shade 
of  difference  ;  they  are  more  generally  on  the  doctrine 
of  the  covenant  and  predestination,  and  less  practical. 
But  I  believe  the  soundness  of  their  faith  has  never 
been  called  in  question.  But  do  the  advocates  of 
these  '  neio  inovcments'  believe  and  preach  as  did  those 
able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament  ]  I  think  they 
suhstantially  do.  With  this  difference ;  they  do  not 
preach  as  controversially  as  some  of  those  venerable 
ministers  did,  because  there  is  not  the  same  cause  for  it 
no7i},  as  in  their  day,  when  the  fundamental  principles 
of  the  Baptist  faith  were  assailed,  by  all  the  force  of  the 
Arminian  host.  But  do  you  preach  as  you  used  to  do  1 
This  question  I  have  answered  several  times  in  the 
Index  ;  and  if  it  was  not  believed  then,  why  is  it  asked 
again  ]  But  for  the  sake  of  those  who  may  not  have 
given  themselves  the  trouble  to  read  heretofore ;  or 


JKSSE     MERCEK.  201 

who  may  not  have  noticed  it,  I  repeat,  that  I  have 
undergone  wo  fandamental  change  in  faith  from  my 
forefathers.     I  believe  now^  and  always  preach  in  per- 
fect accordance  with  the  faith  adopted  by  the  Georgia 
Association,  and  from  her  (so  far  as  I   am  informed) 
the  other  Associations  in  the  state.     But  is  not  the 
preaching  of  those  who   advocate  the  neio  flans,  too 
practical,  too  Arminian  ?     I  do  not  think  so.     I  speak 
as  to  the  great  body  of  those  who  are  the  advocates 
of  the  benevolent  operations  of  our  day.     Of  individ- 
uals I  cannot  say  any  thing.     By  far  the  great  major- 
ity of  those  engaged  in  hcnei^olent  efforts  are  strictly/ 
Calvinistic.     I  use  this  word  in  its  common  accepta- 
tion.    Those  professedly  Arminian  are  far  in  the  rear 
of  the  Calvinists  in  those  operations.     And  I  suspect 
the  idea,  that  the  patronising  of  the  benevolent  insti- 
tutions tends   in   the  least  to  arminianism,   has  been 
gotten  up  from  some  isolated  cases,  of  persons  being 
suspected  of  arminianism,  being  very  active  in  advo- 
cating these  measures  ;  and  not  from  any  solid  ground. 
"  It  seems  to  be  taken  for  granted  that  all  those 
venerable  fathers,  who  founded  the  Baptist  denomi- 
nation in  this  state,  were  as  stern  calvinistic  preachers 
as  are  the  opposers  of  the  new  plans.     But  this  is  alto- 
gether a  mistake.     Some  of  them  were  so — seemed 
to  be  set  for  the  defence  of  the  gospel.     Of  these,  Si- 
las Mercer  and  Jeptha  Vining  were  the  chief.     Abra- 
ham Marshall  was  never  considered  a  predestinarian 
preacher.     To  use  his  own  figure ;  he  used  to  say, 
*  he  was  short  legged  and  could  not  wade  in  such  deep 
water.'      He,    with   several    others,    was    considered 
sound  in  the  faith,  though  loiv  Calvinists.     Peter  Smith 
and  some  others  were  thought  rather  Arminian  ;  some 
quite  so.     But  no  division  was  thought  of  till  Jeremiah 

10 


202  MEMOIRS    OF 

Walker  adopted  and  preached  openly  the  doctrine  of 
final  apostacy.  Then  a  division  ensued;  but  soon 
after  the  death  of  Mr.  W.,  the  breach  was  healed. 
And  here  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  add,  that  the  Baptists 
in  the  upper  parts  of  South  Carolina,  in  those  days, 
comprehended  mostly,  it  is  believed,  in  the  Bethel 
Association,  were  general  provisionists.  I  think  the 
most  of  their  ministers  preached  what  is  noiv  called 
General  Atonement.  But  this  was  never  thought  of 
as  a  bar  to  correspondence,  or  even  Christian  commu- 
nion. Well,  then,  if  there  is  no  fundamental  differ- 
ence between  the  opposers  and  the  advocates  of  the 
new  flans,  why  not  unite  7  I  know  of  no  substantial 
reason  why  they  should  not.  I  believe  the  friends  of 
benevolent  societies  have  never  agitated  or  even 
wished  a  division  with  their  brethren  on  account  of 
their  not  seeing  proper  to  patronise  these  societies. 
And  I  am  not  able  to  see  any  thing  in  these  benevo- 
lent Institutions  which  can  justify  their  opposers  to 
declare  non-fellowship  with  their  advocates.  Nor  do 
I  believe  that  any  will  pretend  that  these  operations 
are  wicked  in  themselves ;  but  when  they  condemn 
the  promoters  of  them,  it  is  by  censuring  their  motives 
or  designs,  so  as  to  make  them  wicked.  But  as  in 
doing  this,  they  break  one  of  the  laws  of  Christ,  they 
must  account  for  it  at  his  bar. 

"  Is  there  no  way  for  the  Baptists  to  come  together 
and  be  united  1  I  think  there  is.  *  Let  them  love  as 
brethren ;  and  not  judge  one  another  any  7nore,  but 
judge  this  rather,  that  no  man  put  a  stumbling-block, 
or  an  occasion  to  fall,  in  his  brother^ s  way^  But  how 
would  a  convention  of  all  the  churches  do  %  If  such 
a  conference,  or  a  meeting  of  the  principal  ministers, 
could  be  had  in  the  spirit  of  meehness,  I  should  hope 


JESSE    MERCER.  203 

iL  might  have  a  good  effect.  At  least  it  would  be 
worth  the  trial.  But  this  has  been  already  proposed, 
again  and  again,  and  nothing  has  hcen  done  / 

"  In  conclusion,  I  say  for  myself,  that  it  appears  as 
if  the  Lord  had  in  his  righteous  disjDleasure,  shut  us 
up  in  prison  houses,  so  that  we  cannot  come  forth  ; 
or  has  mixed  a  pei'\'ersc  spirit  in  -us,  because  he  will 
destroy  21s.  It  is  high  time  we  should  humble  our- 
selves under  his  mighty  hand,  and  beseech  him  to 
take  away  from  us  a?i  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  and  put 
into  us  a  right  spirit.  Let  all  who  have  hearts  to  do 
so,  remember  the  first  Thursday  in  April  next,  the 
day  set  apart  by  the  Georgia  Association,  n^id  con- 
cuiTed  in  by  the  Sarepta,  as  a  day  to  alllict  our  souls 
on  t?iis  rery  occasion,  and  implore  of  the  Lord  his  re- 
storing mercy  and  cheering  grace. 

"  In  hope  of  better  times  by  the  Grace  of  God, 
"  I -am,  dear  Brother,  yours,  in 

"  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord, 

"Jesse  Mercer." 

Mr.  Mercer  watched  the  progress  of  our  Foreign 
Missionary  operations  with  the  liveliest  interest,  held 
frequent  coirespondence  with  the  leading  members 
of  the  Board,  of  which  he  was  the  honored  President 
from  1830,  till  the  meeting  of  the  Triennial  Conven- 
tion in  1841,  and  into  whose  treasury  he  poured  his 
bounty  with  an  unsparing  hand. 

A  letter  addressed  to  Br.  Shuck,  of  the  Chinese 
Mission,  through  the  columns  of  the  Index,  may  be 
properly  introduced  in  this  place. 


204  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  Washington.  Ga.  April  6,  1338. 
"Dear  Brother  Shuck, 

" '  As  cold  waters  to  a  thirsty  soul,  so  is  good 
news  from  a  far  country  :'  so  your  very  kind  letter 
from  Macao,  (China,)  refreshed  and  comforted  my 
spirit.  I  hastened  to  lay  it  before  the  readers  of  the 
Christian  Index,  and  suppose  a  few  words  in  reply 
will  not  be  less  acceptable  through  the  same  medium 
to  you,  and  may  be  gratifying  to  them.  Truly  the 
short  *  acquaintance  and  intercourse'  had  at  Rich- 
mond, (Va.,)  were  pleasant  and  interesting,  and  left 
an  impression  on  my  mind,  which  has  led  me  to  read 
in  the  Religious  Herald  all  the  communications  from 
you  with  particular  interest.  It  was  peculiarly  en- 
gaging to  my  feelings  to  witness  with  what  devoted- 
ness  and  disinterested  zeal,  you  and  others  appeared 
before  the  Board  of  Missions  to  make  known  the  im- 
pressions which  had  led  you  to  the  conclusion,  that  it 
was  your  duty,  from  the  Lord^  to  engage  in  the  min- 
istry ;  and  especially  those,  which  disposed  you  to  a 
foreign  field,  where  you  might  'preach  among  the 
Gentiles  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.'  And  this 
you  did,  tvithaut  asking  or  receiving  a  promise  of  one 
jot  or  tittle  of  earthly  emolument.  All  you  asked, 
and  all  you  received,  was  the  approval  of  the  Board, 
and  a  promise  of  aid  and  support  ! 

"It  is  truly  a  consideration  which  '  affords  no  small 
gratification  to  know'  that  through  the  providence  of 
God,  oceans  and  continents  have  made  us  antipodes, 
yet  we  *  can  meet  at  a  common  Mercy  Seat,'  and  there 
enjoy  *  intercourse  and  commune  wdth  each  other  in 
prayer,'  and  by  writing  those  things,  which  the  grace 
of  God  has  wrought  by  and  in  us,  for  the  furtherance 


JESSE    MERCER.  205 

of  his  cause  on  earth,  and  which  lead  *  the  soul  in  holy 
contemplation  towards  the  brighter  developments  of 
celestial  bliss,'  where  personal  intercourse  and  enjoy- 
ment will  be  uninterrupted  and  eternal. 

*'  I  consider  it  an  amazing  wonder,  my  dear  brother, 
*  a  consideration  of  overwhelming  and  painful  interest, 
that  while  the  hearts  of  so  many  thousands  in  Ameri- 
ca, (and  other  Christian  countries,)  beat  high  with  a 
Christian's  joy,  and  swell  with  a  Christian's  hope,'  so 
little  is  felt  for  the  millions  (of  China  and  other  na- 
tions) who  are  sitting  in  the  regions  and  shadows  of 
death,  and  perishing  for  the  lack  of  knowledge  !  If, 
that  *  some  (men)  had  not  the  knowledge  of  God,'  was 
spoken  to  the  shame  of  Christians  in  Paul's  day,  what 
must  be  spoken  of  Christians  in  these  days  !  O,  when 
will  Christians  wake  up  to  the  importance  of  '  keep- 
ing the  commandments  of  God  !'  And  it  is  still  of 
more  amazing  and  painful  concern,  that  so  many  pro- 
fessed Christians,  like  the  Jews  in  Paul's  time,  rise 
up  ^forbidding  us  to  preach  (the  gospel)  to  the  Gen- 
tiles, that  they  may  be  saved.' 

*'  I  agree  with  you,  that  every  church  should  act  as 
a  missionary  society,  and  that  if,  at  the  concert  meet- 
ings, some  one  or  two  of  the  members  would  prepare 
themselves  to  make  some  brief  remarks  relative  to 
some  case,  history,  or  interesting  incident  of  the  mis- 
sionaries, it  would  give  a  *  heightened  interest'  to  those 
meetings,  and  to  the  cause  of  missions  generally.  It 
would  also  excite  attention  to  the  history  of  mission- 
ary operations  as  they  transpire.  We  need  very 
much  in  our  denomination  an  increased  taste  for  read- 
ing. Any  thing  which  would  tend  to  increase  this 
desire,  would  benefit  the  cause,  by  developing  and 
rendering  familiar,  the  labors,  difficulties,  and  situa- 


206  MiJMOlKS    OF 

tions  of  the  Missionaries ;  and  doubtless,  at  the  same 
time  enfoi'ce  the  moral  and  personal  obligations  of 
giving  the  gospel  to  the  Pagan  world. 

"  I  rejoice  that  the  prospects  before  you  were  en- 
couraging— that  you  have  made  such  progress  in  the 
acquisition  of  the  language,  as  to  be  able  to  write  a 
tract  in  Chinese,  which  was  soon  to  be  published.  I 
have  great  hope,  by  the  grace  of  God,  on  the  circula- 
tion of  tracts.  They  are  silent  and  unobtrusive,  and 
will  get  admission  where  a  Missionary  would  be  re- 
jected. I  am  happy  also  to  learn  that  *  the  Portu- 
guese government  has  somewhat  altered  its  policy,* 
so  that  Missionaries  can  now  reside  in  any  of  the  pre- 
cincts of  the  '  Celestial  Empire.'  Those  parts  where 
the  prohibitory  laws  of  the  Emperor  cannot  affect  the 
cause  are  so  extensive,  that  if  the  word  of  the  Lord 
should  take  deep  root  in  them  it  would  easily  spread 
into  the  interior.  But  why  speak  in  this  casual  strain  1 
He  wko  touches  the  mountains  and  they  smoke,  and 
the  hills  and  they  skip,  can  say  to  the  haughty  and 
imperial  Throne  of  China,  *  be  thou  removed,'  and  it 
shall  vanish  away  like  smoke,  or  yield  obedience  at 
once  to  the  King  of  nations  ! 

**  I  am  acquainted  with  Brother  I.  J.  Roberts. 
While  I  wish  him  all  grace  and  success  in  his  under- 
takings, I  can  but  regret  his  isolated  condition.  If 
the  Board  should  make  Macao  a  permanent  station, 
(and  under  existing  circumstances  I  see  no  reason 
why  they  should  not,)  1  trust  you  may  find  in  him  a 
true  yoke-fellow  in  the  great  cause  of  evangelizing 
(by  the  blessing  of  God  on  your  labors)  the  Chinese, 
and  bringing  them  to  the  obedience  of  faith. 

"  As  to  sending  you  more  laborers  from  Georgia,  it 
would  rejoice  my  heart  to  see  many  young  men  rising 


JESSE    MERCER.  207 

up,  like  the  zealous  and  devoted  Isaiah,  and  saynig  to 
the  call  of  God,  each  for  himself,  *  Here  am  I — send 
vie  /'  But  alas  !  we  have  a  great  deficiency  of  pious, 
devoted,  and  faithful  ministers  in  this  state,  and  there 
seems  little  spirit  of  prayer  in  the  churches,  to  the 
Lord  of  the  haiA^est,  that  he  would  send  laborers  into 
his  haiTcst,  which  is  truly  large. 

"  It  will  give  me  pleasure  to  send  you,  my  brother, 
any  thing — Minutes,  and  the  Index,  which  may  aflford 
you  and  those  with  you,  any  consolation  or  strength. 

"  With  Sister  S.  I  have  no  acquaintance,  but  what 
1  have  gained  from  her  letters,  &c. — but  it  has  been 
quite  sufficient  to  give  her  an  interest  in  my  best 
wishes  for  her  happiness  and  prosperity  in  the  gieat 
enterprise  in  which  she  has,  as  your  lieljp  meet,  en- 
gaged. My  most  sincere  gratulations  to  her  and  Bro- 
ther Roberts.  May  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  with 
you  all,  and  give  you  success,  is  the  prayer  of  one  who 
is  deeply  interested  in  the  Missionary  enterprise. 

"  Jesse;^Mercer." 

The  movements  of  the  Abolitionists,  which  at  one 
time  seemed  to  threaten  the  disruption  of  the  north 
and  south,  gave  him  much  concern.  He  looked  upon 
the  separation  of  the  denomination  as  a  result  gieatly 
to  be  deplored,  inasmuch  as  it  must  necessarily  em- 
barrass, to  a  feaiful  extent,  our  foreign  missionary  op- 
erations, and  portend  great  evils  to  our  common  coun- 
try. In  a  letter  to  Mr.  Bolles,  he  expresses  his  senti- 
ments on  this  exciting  subject  with  great  candor  and 
freedom. 


208  MEMOIRS    OF 

"  Washington,  Oct.  S]*^  1B40. 
*'My  Dear  Brother  Bolles, 

"Yours  from  Philadelphia  was   duly  received, 
and  I  was  gratified  in  reading  its  contents.     I  have 
also  received  an  address  to  the  missionaiies,  the  sen- 
timents of  which  I  approve.     I  have  all  along  intend- 
ed to  write,  but  continued  and  increased  affliction  has 
led  to  procrastination ;  and  so  it  is,  I  have  not  under- 
taken it  till  now.     But  now  it  seems  to  be  imperious 
on  me  to  speak.     The  address  of  the  Anti-slavery 
Convention  held  in  New- York  last  spring,  with  E.  G. 
as  president  signed  to  it,  and  certain  copies  of  the 
Reflector,  have  been  sent  to  almost  all  our  ministers 
and  pastors  of  churches,  and  other  prominent  persons 
among  us,  and,  I  suppose,  through  all  the  Southern 
States ;    and  have    acted  as  fire   brands  through  all 
our  parts.     Our  abolition   brethren  are   exceedingly 
mistaken  in  the  case  they  have  undertaken  to  reme- 
dy ;  and  th^efore,  their  measures  can  only  operate  a 
had  influence  ;  and  the  tendency  will  inevitably  be  to 
break  up  all  our  united  operations,  and,  I  seriously 
fear,  our  civil  union  also.     They  ought  to  consider 
that  the  institution  of  slavery  is  a  civil  and  not  an  ec- 
clesiastical one ;    and  that  it   is  not   one  of  our  (the 
present  ovsmers')  making ;  that  we,  as  a  slaveholding 
people,   are  mostly  the  inheritors  of  them  from  our 
forefathers — that  they  came  into  possession  under  the 
prejudice  of  early  education.     We  have  been  taught 
from  our  cradles  that  they  were  our  money,  that  we 
had  a  right  or  title  to  them.     This  has   grown  with 
our  growth,  and  strengthened   with  our  riper  years. 
Now  be  this  right  or  wrong,  it  ought  to  be  kept  in 
mind  that  this  prejudice  is  not  to  be  removed  by  any 


JESSE    MERCER.  209 

smmediaic  cause,  nor  by  hard  words,  or  by  arbitrary 
condemnation.  These  can  only  excite  to  a  fiery  re- 
sistance, and,  of  course,  rivet  the  chains  of  the  preju- 
dice (above  stated)  the  tighter,  and  strengthen  them 
by  the  influence  of  that  interest  which  blinds  the  judg- 
ment. The  terms  on  which  the  address  proposes  the 
continuance  of  christian  fellowship  are  altogether  im- 
I  practical.  If  we  would,  we  cannot  comply.  We 
\  are,  as  a  community,  both  classes,  as  a  tangled  hank, 
;  so  tangled  that  we  cannot  be  severed  in  the  way  pro- 
1  posed.  We  have  no  alternative,  therefore,  but  to 
!  yield  to  their  sentence  (bull)  of  excommunication.  I 
suppose  before  you  receive  this,  you  will  have  re- 
ceived an  address  from  the  Executive  Committee  of 
our  Convention,  (a  copy  of  which  has  been  sent  me,) 
on  this  vexatious  subject.  I  exceedingly  regret  the 
necessity  of  this  movement  in  our  Board,  but  under 
the  circumstances,  I  must  justify  them  in  it.  I  was 
not  able  to  attend  our  session  of  the  Association,  nor 
the  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee.  I  too  re- 
gret the  alternative  to  which  the  pi"esent  crisis  sub- 
jects the  acting  members  of  the  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions.  They  must  disavow  any  connexion  with  or 
approval  of  the  ultra  movements  of  the  Abolitionists 
or  lose  the  southern  interest  in  the  FoiX3igTi  Mission 
cause.  Our  people  talk  of  a  southern  Board ;  but 
that  to  me  is  just  equal  to  an  entire  separation  from 
the  cause  itself.  The  Board  will  have  to  look  to  the 
north  and  northwest  for  its  supplies,  and  the  south 
will  cease  to  do  any  thing,  or  turn  their  benefactions 
some  other  way.  *     *     *      * 

"Dear  brethren,  we  have  fallen  on  stony  places, 
and  some  of  us  will  be  sorely  tried.  A  few,  with 
myself,   would  prefer  to  continue  our  union  and  co- 

10* 


^ 


210  MEMOIRS    OF 

operation,  Abolitionism  notwithstanding ;  but  wliat 
can  the  few  do  against  the  many  1  The  consequences 
of  a  dissolution  of  our  missionary  co-operation  will 
be  deleterious,  if  not  ruinous.  We  must  reflect  on 
our  obligations  to  our  missionaries.  This  obligation 
is  of  the  most  serious  character,  and  ought  not  to  be 
broken  without  paramount  considerations.  But  I 
leave  all  these  things  to  be  digested  by  your  wisdom 
and  prudence, 

*'  I  have  written  the  above  with  considerable  pain, 
and  must  a-^k  the  prayers  of  the  Board  to  God  for  me 
and  wife,  who  is  paralytic  both  in  body  and  mind,  that 
we  may  be  able  to  endure  as  beholding  him  that  is 
invisible,  ready  to  help.  With  sentiments  of  affec- 
tionate regard, 

"  I  am,  dear  brethren,  yours  in  the  kingdom  and 
patience  of  Jesus  Christ. 

"Jesse  Mercer." 

A  short  time  before  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Convention  in  1841,  he  thus  speaks  upon  the  same 
subject  through  the  columns  of  the  Christian  Index. 

"  I  am  of  opinion  we  are  making  quite  too  much 
of  their  puffings  and  loud  noise.  If  they  are  dis- 
posed to  roar,  let  them  roar  on,  zmhceded  by  us ;  for 
to  be  disquieted  and  alarmed  is  just  what  they  want — 
the  more  they  can  disturb  and  discompose  us,  the  bet- 
ter they  will  be  pleased.  Now  let  us  care  as  little 
about  all  their  '  sound  of  words'  as  a  company  of 
shepherds  would  the  bowlings  of  wolves  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  an  impassable  river.  Let  them  alone, 
and  their  long  and  their  loiid  soundings  will  die  harm- 
less, in  the  distance. 


JESSE    iMEKCEll.  211 

"It  may  be  asked  vvliat  bIiuII  vvc  do  in  this  distress- 
ing case  1  I  give  as  my  ad^cc,  to  sacnfice  feeling  to 
principle^  and  hold  on.  To  continue  the  union  of  the 
present  effort  in  the  General  Convention,  to  me  is  pal- 
pable and  all  important.  A  division  of  the  southern 
brethren  from  the  northern,  would,  in  my  view,  be 
deleterious,  if  not  totally  ruinous  to  the  whole  con- 
cern. Some  talk  of  a  Southern  Board,  but  this  to  me 
is  visionary  and  futile.  AVe  have  no  southern  inter- 
course with  India,  and  should  have  to  send  our  funds 
through  the  same  channel  they  now  go,  and  that 
would  defeat  the  very  object  for  which  a  Southern 
Board  would  be  gotten  up.  I  see  no  way  that  a 
Southern  Board  could  sup2)ort  missionaries  in  Bur- 
mah,  or  other  places  in  the  East,  without  trusting  their 
funds  to  northern  conveyances,  and  whom  would  they 
sooner  trust  than  the  present  tried  members  of  the 
Board  of  Missions  %  I  hope  our  southeni  brethren 
will  never  think  of  it. 

"  But  before  I  close  this  article,  I  must  say  some- 
thing about  the  a2)proaching  Triennial  Convention. 
Many  North  and  South,  are  looking  to  that  meeting 
with  great  expectation.  Well ;  I  hope  something 
will  be  done  then,  tending  to  settle  the  agitations 
which  novvr  threaten  the  dissolution  of  the  missionary 
compact.  For  myself,  it  is  my  settled  conviction, 
that  to  pretend  to  investigate  the  right  or  the  wrongs 
the  merits  or  the  demerits  of  slavery,  would  bo  worse 
than  folly.  Who  can  amuse  himself  with  the  idea, 
that  that  question  could  be  decided  in  a  public  con- 
troversy ?  Nothing  could  be  the  result  but  '  strifes  of 
itordsy  whereof  cometh  envy  and  perverse  disputings 
of  men  of  corrupt  minds.'  I  think  nobody,  North  or 
South,  on  mature  reflection,  can   desire   such  a   dis- 


212  MEMOIRS    OF 

pute,  except  Abolitionists,  and  1  suppose  it  would  be 
marrow  and  fatness  to  ^eir  souls.  Something,  how- 
ever, should  be  done  in  that  meeting  to  harmonize  the 
feelings  of  the  South,  and  to  direct  the  energies  of  all 
united  in  the  missionary  enterprise,  in  one  sacred  effort 
to  send  the  gospel  to  the  heathen.  I  cannot  persuade 
myself,  but  that  there  will  be  a  great  majority  of 
those  who  shall  form  that  body,  that  will  have  no 
Tiesitancy  to  unite  in  the  sentiment,  that  for  any  Bap- 
tist minister  or  set  of  ministers,  however  large,  to 
judge  and  condemn  others,  unheard,  as  guilty  of  most 
base  crimes,  and  to  pass  resolutions  of  disfellowship 
in  relation  to  brethren  over  whom  they  have  no  dis- 
ciplinary jurisdiction,  is  undenominational  and  con- 
trary to  the  plain  dictates  of  the  word  of  God;  and 
therefore,  not  to  be  tolerated  in  any  belonging  to  the 
Convention,  much  less  any  member  or  members  of 
the  Board  itself." 

Mr.  Mercer  had  enjoyed  an  opportunity  of  culti- 
vating considerable  acquaintance  with  his  northern 
brethren,  and  though  he  most  decidedly  condemned 
the  course  of  a  few  unreasonable  and  erratic  men,  yet 
he  placed  a  high  estimate  upon  the  prudence,  piety, 
and  zeal  of  the  great  body,  and  especially  of  the  more 
prominent  individuals  concerned  in  the  management 
of  our  missionary  affairs.  There  are  some  who  will, 
no  doubt,  recollect  the  ingenious,  and  yet  kind  and 
paternal  manner  in  which,  at  one  of  the  meetings  of 
the  State  Convention,  he  softened  down  a  discussion 
in  which  there  had  been  thrown  out  some  rather  un- 
kind intimations  against  the  brethren  of  the  north. 
The  following  is  about  the  substance  of  his  remarks. 
"Brethren,  allow  me  just  here    as  I   am  sitting,  to 


JESSE    MERCER.  213 

relate  a  little  anecdote  :  though  it  has  something  to 
do  with  myself,  yet  I  hope  you  will  nevertheless  ex- 
cuse it.  In  my  younger  days,  and  when  I  was  also 
young  in  the  ministry,  I  had  occasion  to  pay  a  visit  to 
Charleston,  S.  C.  I  went  to  the  place  with  many  pre- 
judices against  the  brethren  in  that  place,  taking  it  for 
granted,  that  as  they  lived  in  a  large  city,  they  were  a 
proud,  formal,  fashionable  people,  and  had  very  little 
religion.  I  did  not  expect  to  be  pleased  with  them. 
But  after  a  few  days  intercourse  with  them,  I  found 
them  a  very  kind,  humble,  spiritual  people ;  and  I 
left  them  with  the  conviction  that  they  had  a  great 
deal  more  religion  than  I  had.  Now  in  regard  to 
our  northern  brethren,  let  me  say  I  have  been  with 
them,  and  have  had  an  opportunity  of  judging  of 
their  spirit ;  and  brethren,  they  are  a  hetter  people  than 
we  arer  If  this  disposition  to  lie  at  our  brethren's 
feet,  and  to  esteem  others  better  than  ourselves,  were 
universally  prevalent,  how  much  bitterness,  jealousy 
and  strife  would  be  banished  from  the  church  of 
Christ. 

The  following  brief  notes  on  Matt.  28  :  19  ;  "  Go  ye 
therefore  and  teach  all  nations,'^  were  found  among 
Mr.  Mercer's  manuscripts,  and  may  serve  as  a  speci- 
men of  his  longest  skeletons  of  semions,  of  which, 
however,  he  prepared  but  very  few. 

"  The  gospel  is  of  God.  Its  glorious  design  trav- 
ails with  infinite  benignity  to  the  praise  of  his  gi^ace 
in  the  salvation  of  men.  It  exhibits  a  system  of 
means,  reserving  the  efficient  cause  to  God  alone. 
The  humble  beneficiaries  are  constituted  its  instru- 
ments. It  is  of  grace  they  are  so.  A  failure  of  suc- 
cess in  their  labors,   admits  of  no  discouragement. 


211  MEMOIRS    OF 

They  have  received  more  than  they  have  rendered 
back ;  and  then'  Lord  w^as  ever  beforehand  with  them, 
and  they  were  originally  unworthy.  Privilege  never 
comes  alone  ;  it  is  always  accompanied  by  obligation. 
God  gives  something  in  the  jDrivilege,  which  he  never 
fails  to  require  again,  according  to  his  own  wisdom 
and  counsel.  Hence  the  vows  of  God  are  upon  us. 
*  Where  the  word  of  a  king  is,  there  is  power.'  And 
this  power  must  be  felt  when  Jehovah-Jesus  speaks. 
When  He  who  has  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth 
commands,  '  go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,* 
who  will  be  inattentive,  or  disregard  his  authority  1 

**  My  brethren,  let  us  spend  a  little  time  in  contem~ 
plating  the  command  of  God  to  teach  the  nations. 

*'  I.  Whose  duty  it  is. 

"II.  What  it  involves ;  and 

"  III.  The  ground  of  encouragement  to  those  who 
are  making  one  sacred  effort  to  obey  the  command. — 
And 

"  I.  Whose  duty  it  is. 

"  The  eleven  were  present  only ;  but  it  could  not 
have  been  restricted  to  them,  for  then  the  ministry 
would  have  ceased  with  them.  Christ  says  of  him- 
self, '  I  am  the  light  of  the  world  as  long  as  I  am  in  it.' 
If  then  the  command  rested  with  them,  both  the  work 
and  the  authority  for  it  must  have  ended  with  them, 
and  the  world  is  now  wrapt  in  moral  and  spiritual 
night !  But  they  must  have  been  the  representatives 
of  all  ministers  of  Christ  till  the  end  of  the  world. 

"  In  pi'oof  of  this.  The  commission  itself  extend- 
ing to  the  end  of  time.  The  mode  of  expression  by 
Mark,  and  the  manner  of  Christ's  addressing  in  rela- 
tion to  the  end  of  the  world,  and  of  his  second  com- 
ing, and  how  they  ought  to  be  found  of  him,  are  in 


JESSE    MEIICEU.  215 

point.     Also  the  apostolic  rule  of  expounding  proph- 
ecy to  be  command. 

"  They  must  also  have  been  the  constituents  of  the 
Gospel  church.  In  proof  of  this,  what  Christ  says  of 
them  in  his  sermon,  and  the  figurative  illustration  he 
gives  of  them  and  their  duty,  answering  only  to  the 
church  of  Christ,  is  in  evidence.  But  if  the  prophe- 
cies are  commands,  then  the  question  is  at  rest  for 
ever.  It  is  the  church's  duty,  including  all,  not  with- 
out ministers,  to  teach  the  nations.  The  church  is  the 
pillar  and  gi-ound  of  the  truth,  &:c.  The  prophecies 
being  commands,  taken  together  with  the  examples  of 
the  first  churches,  will  show  that  the  duty  of  teaching 
the  nations  lies  on  the  church  and  ministers. 

"  II.  What  it  involves. 

*'  1.  The  publication  of  the  scriptures.  In  proof 
of  this,  urge  the  example  and  command  of  God — the 
prophetic  declarations  in  Isa.  2:3.  4  :  12.  42  :  4. 
49  :  22.  62  :  10. 

•*  2.  The  translation  of  the  scriptures.  The  rea- 
sonableness and  necessity  of  it.  The  giving  of  tongues 
and  ceasing  of  them — the  choice  of  the  Apostles  to 
publish  the  New  Testament  in  the  Greek,  being  the 
most  popular  language  then  in  the  world ;  and  Paul's 
sentiment  for  plain  words. 

"  3.  The  sending  of  men  to  teach  them.  The  ap- 
pointment of  the  Prophets  and  Apostles  is  sufficient 
to  prove  this  point.  But  Ps.  68  :  11.  Dan.  12  :  4.  It 
is  declared  in  Isa.  66  ;  19.    Ps.  4.5  :  16.    Isa.  60  :  11. 

"  4.  The  use  of  money,  and  a  great  deal  of  it.  The 
service  of  God  in  Israel  required  a  great  deal  of  mon- 
ey, &c.  The  prophecies  show  that  presents  and  giflB 
should  be  brought  unto  Zion  for  the  service  of  God, 
and  the  first  churches  did  abound  in  liberalities,  &:c. 


216  '  MEMOIRS    OF 

"  III.  The  encouragement  afforded 

"  Lies  in  the  commander's  having  all  power  in  heav- 
en and  earth,  whereby  the  free  use  of  all  means,  the 
employment  of  men  and  angels,  and  the  fulfilment  of 
all  the  promises  are  sure. 

"  Inferences. 

'*  1.  The  propriety  of  being  ready  for  the  work. 

"  2.  Unity  in  the  effort — and 

"  3.  Courage  and  strength  in  the  work." 

The  following  piece  originally  published  in  an  April 
number  of  the  Christian  Index,  1832,  when  edited  by 
brother  W.  T.  Brantly,  in  Philadelphia,  may  here  be 
allowed  a  place  as  a  kind  of  appendix  to  this  chapter, 

.  since  it  has  some  bearing  upon  the  missionary  cause. 
As  it  embraced  some  topics  of  a  different  character, 
the  biographer  did  not  think  best  to  break  the  con- 
nexion of  the  preceding  portions  of  the  chapter,  by 
inserting  it  in  its  proper  chronological  order.  It  re- 
fers to  the  unhappy  affair  of  Messrs.  Worcester  and 
Butler,  missionaries  of  the  American  Board  of  Com- 
missioners for  Foreign  Missions,  who,  refusing  to  sub- 
mit to  the  laws  of  Georgia  when  the  state  saw  fit  to 
extend  her  jurisdiction  over  the  Cherokees,  had  been 
arrested  by  the  civil  authorities,  and  confined  in  the 

\  penitentiary.  Many  distorted  and  eiToneous  repre- 
sentations of  the  occurrence  were  circulated  far  and 
wide  to  the  injury  of  the  reputation  of  the  state ; 
and  some  respectable  Baptist  publications  (without 
any  evil  purpose,  it  is  presumed,)  assisted  in  giving 
them  currency.  The  design  of  this  communication 
was  to  present  the  subject  in  its  proper  light,  and  to 
aid  in  allaying  the  ferment  of  the  public  mind.  If  it 
failed  in  fully  exonerating  the  authorities  of  the  state 


JESSE    MERCER.  217 

from  blame  in  the  view  of  all,  it  showed  clearly  that 
they  had  been  greatly  misrepresented,  and  that  the 
character  of  Georgia  had  found  a  very  able  and  zeal- 
ous advocate  in  the  person  of  Mr.  Mercer.  The  wri- 
ter believes  he  is  correct  in  stating  that  the  offensive 
piece  complained  of  by  brother  Mercer,  which  ap- 
peared in  the  Baptist  Magazine,  was  not  published  by 
the  sanction  of  the  Board.  In  a  manner  worthy  of 
all  commendation,  that  highly  respectable  and  efficient 
body  have  ever  kept  themselves  aloof  from  all  mat- 
ters irrelevant  to  the  one  great  object  for  which  they 
were  appointed,  the  superintendence  of  our  Foreign 
Missionary  work. 

**  Imprisonment  of  the  Missionaries  to  the  Cherokees.'* 

"Brother  Brantlt, 

"  In  regard  to  this  subject,  the  editors  of  periodi- 
cals seem  to  me  to  have  made  themselves  busy-bodies 
in  other  men's  matters,  understanding  neither  what 
they  say,  nor  whereof  they  affirm.  It  is  truly  to  be 
regretted  that  such  an  event  should  have  ever  trans- 
pired.  But  before  Georgia  should  be  criminated,  it 
ought  to  be  demonstrated  to  be  the  legitimate  result 
of  her  laws  ;  and  not  the  sheer  consequence  of  insub- 
ordinate feelings,  and  unloyal  conduct  in  the  mission- 
aries towards  them. 

*'  The  right  of  Georgia  to  extend  her  government 
over  that  pait  of  her  state  which  was  in  the  occupan- 
cy of  the  Cherokees,  I  do  not  pretend  to  deteimine  j 
and  it  seems  to  come  with  a  very  ill  grace,  from  any 
individual,  unhesitatingly  to  denounce  the  judicial 
proceedings  of  a  sovereign  state,  as  *  unconstitutional, 
unjust  and  wicked.'     But  it  may,  however,  be  asked, 


218  MEMOIRS    OF 

what  right  that  was  which  Georgia  conveyed  to  the 
United  States  by  the  cession  of  1802  ]  And  whether 
the  United  States  did  not  take  jurisdiction  over  the 
territory  ceded,  and  all  the  Indian  tribes  therein,  by 
virtue  of  said  contract  ?  If  so,  then  it  was  always 
rio-ht  in  Georgria  to  exercise  the  same  jurisdiction 
within  that  part  of  her  territory  not  so  ceded ;  and 
the  United  States  could  constitutionally  have  no  con- 
trol over  it  but  by  her  consent.  Under  this  consent, 
impliedly  yielded,  the  United  States  have  had  a  gov- 
ernmental agency  over  the  Cherokees,  till  they  at- 
tempted the  establishment  of  an  independent,  national 
government  within  the  limits  of  Georgia.  Now  it  is 
believed  no  state  would  look  on  such  a  government 
rising  up  within  her  bounds,  with  approbation.  Geor- 
gia did  not  approve  of  it,  and  has  resisted  it.  And 
who  can  blame  her  ? 

**  They  who  know  any  thing  of  the  affairs  of  the 
Cherokee  country,  as  it  lies  under  the  agency  of  the 
United  States,  know  that  no  white  person  (excej)t  he 
belong  to  the  nation,)  was  peimitted  to  reside  among 
the  Indians,  without  a  license  both  from  the  United 
States  and  the  Indians ;  and  that  yet  intruders  were 
constantly  insinuating  themselves  among  them ;  not 
only  to  serve  themselves  of  the  Indians,  but  to  eat  the 
fat  of  the  land ;  and  that  the  United  States'  troops 
had  frequently  to  scour  the  country  and  drive  them 
out.  It  became  Georgia,  therefore,  in  taking  the 
government  of  her  territory,  to  act  on  the  same  prin- 
fciple,  and  to  see  that  no  white  person  (not  otherwise 
authorized,)  should  reside  therein,  who  was  either 
disposed  to  gratify  his  own  licentious  interests,  or  was 
inimical  to  her  cause.  This  was  necessary,  both  for 
the  safety  of  the   Indians,  and  the  good  of  the  state. 


JESSE    MEIICEII.  219 

It  was  therefore  provided  by  law,  that  after  a  given 
time,  all  white  persons  residing  among  the  Indians 
within  her  juiisdiction,  (United  States'  and  states' 
agents,  persons  renting  improvements  of  Indians 
emigrated  west  of  the  Mississippi,  all  females  and 
children  excepted,)  should  have  obtained  a  license  or 
permit  from  the  governor  or  his  agent,  for  that  pur- 
pose ;  and  have  subscribed  the  following  oath :  *  I, 
A.  B.,  do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm  as  the  case  may 
be,)  that  I  will  support  and  defend  the  constitution 
and  laws  of  the  state  of  Georgia,  and  uprightly  de- 
mean myself  as  a  citizen  thereof,  so  help  me  God ;' 
or  on  failure  thereof,  should  be  deemed  *  guilty  of  an 
high  misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  thereof,  shall 
be  punished  by  confinement  in  the  penitentiary  at 
hard  labor,  for  a  term  not  less  than  four  years.'  This 
is  the  obnoxious  law,  to  which  the  missionaries  not 
yielding,  as  pious  christians  should,  a  quiet  submis- 
sion, but  opposing  their  resistance,  have  fallen  under 
its  penalty,  and  are  imprisoned  in  the  penitentiary. 
But,  brother  Editor,  what  can  there  be  in  this  law, 
so  offensive  to  these  missionaries  1  Its  requirements 
bind  them  to  do  nothing  but  what  all  good  men  are 
morally  bound  to  do ;  and  to  which  all  the  disinte- 
rested motives  inducing  these  men  to  en^^asfe  in  the 
missionary  enterprise,  should  have  influenced  them 
to  yield  a  ready  compliance ;  not  only  because  the 
law  of  God  requires  it,  but  because  the  very  constitu- 
tion and  laws  they  would  thereby  bind  themselves  to 
£3upport,  do  guarantee  to,  and  defend  them  in  *  the  in- 
estimable privilege  of  worshipping  God  in  a  manner 
agreeable  to  their  own  conscience.'  Thus  it  will  ap- 
pear, these  men  were  only  required  to  support  the 
laws,  which  in   turn  would  have  suppoited  them  in 


220  MEMOIRS    OF 

their  missionary  labors.  Why  then  resist  them  ]  And 
why  is  Georgia  denounced  as  highly  criminal  in  this 
affair,  even  by  christian  editors  1 

"  I  have  seen  in  the  '  Pioneer'  of  the  West,  some 
harsh  and  even  cruel  things  on  this  subject,  w^hich 
would  have  better  suited  an  infidel  paper.  I  had 
thouo-ht  the  editor,  a  brother  of  more  candor,  and  dis- 
passionate argument. 

"  But,  more  than  all,  I  have  sickened  at  reading  a 
piece,  under  the  above  caption,  in  the  '  American  Bap- 
tist Magazine.'  The  publishers  are  men  of  undoubted 
worth,  deep  and  liberal  piety.  And  it  is  the  more  to 
be  reoretted,  that  they  should  have  been  led  to  publish 
this  libel  on  G-eorgia,  so  derogatory  to  the  genius  and 
objects  of  the  Magazine ;  but  especially  as  they  had 
its  refutation,  not  merely  within  their  reach,  but  in 
their  very  grasp  !  It  would  have  been  less  painful  if 
they  had  no  missionary  in  the  same  territory,  and  sub- 
jected to  the  same  lav/s;  but  he  promptly  met  the 
requirements,  and  so  far  from  sinking,  he  stands  high- 
er in  the  estimation  of  all  parties  ;  so  that  they  had  a 
practical  demonsti'ation,  under  their  own  patronage, 
that  the  evil  complained  of  was  neither  in  the  design,, 
laws,  nor  administration  of  Georgia ;  else  their  Mis- 
sionary would  have  been  imprisoned  too  ! 

"  They  say,  '  the  periodical  publications  have  fur- 
nished the  disgraceful  fact,  that  Dr.  Butler  and  Mr. 
Worcester,  Missionaries  among  the  Cherokees,  have 
been  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary  in  Georgia,  for  re- 
siding among  the  Indians.'  This  is  part  true,  but  to 
a  stranger  it  conveys  what  is  not  true.  These  men 
were  not  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary,  merely  for  re- 
siding among  the  Indians  ;  but  for  residing  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  Georgia,  in  defiance  of  her  laws  :  but 


JESSE     MERCER.  221 

whether  tliis  is  a  disgi'aceful  fact  to  Georgia  remains 
to  be  proved.  If,  however,  it  is  vv^icked  in  a  state  to 
execute  her  laws,  and  cause  them  to  be  respected 
within  her  own  bounds — if  Missionaries,  as  such,  are 
unaccountable  to  any  laws,  human  or  divine,  and  if  it 
is  virtuous  in  tlicm  to  despise  dominion  and  speak 
evil  of  dignities,  then  it  is  a  disgraceful  fact,  that  Geor- 
gia has  reduced  them ;  but  if  otherwise,  then  these 
nominal  Missionaries  are  suffeiing  only  the  reward  of 
their  own  temerity ! 

"  The  managers  of  the  Magazine  have  adverted  to 

*  the  imprisonment  of  Mr.  Judson,  in  Burmah,  and  of 
John  Bunyan,  in  England,'  as  analagous,  it  should 
seem,  not  only  the  more  to  disgrace  Georgia,  but  to 

*  arouse  feeling  of  the  most  decisive  disapprobation  in 
the  breasts  of  every  Christian  and  patriot,'  against 
her.  But  is  there  any  parity  in  the  cases  ]  Is  the 
government  of  Georgia  a  despotic  barbarism  ]  Has 
she  made  any  laws  *  forbidding  ministers  to  preach 
the  gospel,'  or  to  prevent  Missionaries  *  remaining  on 
the  Indian  lands,  and  exercising  their  missionary  func- 
tions ]  If  she  has,  the  fact  is  disgraceful ;  but,  if  not, 
then  they  should  have  remembered  what  that  means — 
I  will  have  mercy  and  not  sacrifice. 

**  But  they  further  say,  '  perhaps  no  event  has  oc- 
curred in  the  country,  which  has  excited  greater  sur- 
prise and  displeasure  among  good  men,  than  the  de- 
grading manner  in  which  the  Missionaries  of  the  cross 
have  been  arrested,  conducted  in  chains  to  trial,  and 
consigned  to  the  penitentiary.'  But  it  remains  to  be 
proved,  that  these  professed  *  Missionaries  of  the 
cross'  received  any  mal -treatment — especially  that 
they  were  'conducted  in  chains  to  trial;*  as  the  con- 
ducting officer  assures  me,  there  never  was  a  chain 


222  MEMOIRS    OF 

on  them,  except  while  in  bed,  and  that  only  for  safe- 
keeping, as  the  other  prisoners  were. 

"  The  managers  seem  to  take  for  granted  what  is 
not  true,  and  therefore  have  been  led  into  error ;  that 
is,  that  Georgia  has  passed  laws  forbidding  missionary 
operations  among  the  Indians ;  and  have  condemned 
these  men  as  Missionaries.  But  no  such  laws  exist, 
nor  has  any  judicial  proceeding  been  had  with  these 
men,  in  any  other  character  than  w^iite  men,  offend- 
ing against  her  laws.  Georgia  regrets,  we  all  regret, 
that  they  were  Missionaries. 

"  Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  been  infoiTned, 
that  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  (or  a 
majority  of  the  Judges  presiding,)  have  sustained  the 
writ  of  error  against  Georgia,  and  decreed  that  the 
sentence  of  the  Superior  Court  here  should  be  re- 
versed, and  the  prisoners  released.  But  this  decree 
makes  the  case  neither  better  nor  worse  in  a  moral 
point  of  view  :  circumstantially,  it  may  make  it  a  great 
deal  worse.  It! will  be  viewed  in  Georgia  as  an  in- 
terference with  her  internal  rights,  which  has  no  con- 
stitutional basis  ;  nay,  as  a  direct  infringement  of  her 
constitutional  right,  and  an  infraction  of  her  sovereign- 
ty within  her  own  judicial  bounds.  As  the  Governor 
and  Legislature  of  Georgia  considered  the  writ  nuga- 
tory, and  confiding  in  the  wisdom  and  justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  determined  not  to  appear  in  the  case, 
it  is  probable  her  Judges  will  pay  as  little  attention  to 
the  decree.  If  so,  and  it  should  be  attempted  to  be 
enforced,  none  need  be  surprised,  should  it  prove  the 
scissors  that  clips  the  cord  that  binds  our  union,  and. 
the  pen  that  writes  Ichabod  on  it  for  ever. 

"  Dear  brother,  I  tremble  while  I  write,  at  the  pros- 
pect before  us.     I  have  always  been  an  unionist,  and 


JESSE    MERCER,  223 

have  resisted  all  ideas  of  dissolution  as  desperate. 
But  when  I  hear  Solomon  say,  '  Surely  oppression 
maketh  a  wise  man  mad ;'  and  James,  *  Behold  how 
great  a  matter  a  little  fire  kindleth ;'  I  can  but  fear 
the  signs  of  these  times  !  I  hope,  however,  that  there 
may  yet  be  *  a  redeeming  spirit'  in  the  United  States, 
*  and  that  she  may  adopt  a  course,  which  may  allay 
the  just  excitement  which  exists  in  the  public  mind' 
of  Georgia,  and  preserve  our  beloved  Union.  Our 
last,  and  only  sure  resort,  however,  is — 

'  God  is  our  rofugc  in  distress, 
A  present  help  when  dangers  press  ; 

In  him  iindauntcd  we'll  confide; 
Though  eaiih  were  from  her  centre  tost, 
And  mountains  in  the  ocean  lost, 

Torn  pioco-mcal  by  the  roaring  tidiv' 

*'  Jessk  Mfrckr," 


CHAPTER    X. 


Mr.  Mercer  and  the  Temperance  Cause. — At  first  stands  aloof. — 
His  reasons  for  this  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Branlly. — Mr.  B.'s  edito- 
rial comments. — Finally  takes  the  pledge. — Establishes  a  Tem- 
perance Paper. — Opposes  the  use  of  wine. — His  opinion  on  the 
traffic  in  spirits. — Remarks  from  the  Index. — Sketch  of  a  Tem- 
perance Discourse  — Short  notei  on  tho  Wine  Question. 

It  would  not  be  proper  to  pass  over  in  entire  si- 
lence Mr.  Mercer's  relation  to  the  great  Temperance 
Refonnation.  For  several  years  he  took  no  active 
part  in  its  support,  and  it  is  highly  probable  that  many 
of  his  friends  and  admirers,  by  the  influence  of  his  ex- 


S24  MEMOIRS    OP 

ample,  were  induced  to  withhold  their  names  from  the 
temperance  pledge.  And  as  he  was  in  the  habit  for 
many  years,  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of  physi- 
cians, of  using  Cogniac  Brandy^  in  moderate  quanti- 
ties, Ave  are  not  required  by  charity  to  discredit  some 
reports  which  crept  into  circulation,  that  now  and 
then  an  inveterate  drinker,  with  an  air  of  complacency 
and  triumph,  would  quote  the  example  of  Mr.  Mercer 
in  his  own  vindication.  The  following  extracts  from 
a  letter  of  Mr.  Mercer,  published  in  the  Columbian 
Star  and  Christian  Index,  in  1829,  may  be  read  with 
some  interest,  as  it  explains  the  ground  occupied  by 
him  at  that  time.  The  letter  was  intended  to  rebuke 
what  he  considered  the  unguarded  and  intemperate 
zeal  of  some  of  the  friends  of  the  Reformation,  and 
also  to  present  his  reasons  for  not  connecting  himself 
with  a  temperance  Society. 

"  It  becomes  the  members  and  real  friends  of  tem- 
perance to  be  moderate,  forbearing  and  tender ;  not 
to  offend,  but  conciliate.  To  bear  much  without  re- 
tort ;  to  go  forward  without  conflict ;  to  gain  the 
vantage  ground  by  non-resistance.  I  am  (if  non- 
members  can  be)  friendly  to  the  anti-intemperance 
societies.  I  have  been  informed,  however,  that  my 
example  has  been  quoted  on  the  opposite  side.  This 
I  deeply  regret.  I  am  sure  this  was  done  without 
knowing  any  justifying  reason,  except,  that  I  still  used 
spirits,  and  had  not  become  a  member  of  some  tem- 
perance society.  For  the  sake  of  such  I  will  state  my 
example  and  the  cause  why  I  am  not  an  actual  mem- 
ber, &c.  *  When  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  reveal  his 
dear  Son  in  me,'  and  to  impress  me  with  the  worth  of 
immortal  souls,  I  was  made  deeply  to   deplore  the 


JESSE     MEKCtil.  225 

lavages  of  iiitemperancc,  and  to  inquire  what  was  the 
source  of  this  wide-spreading  evil :  And  I  soon  came 
to  tlie  conclusion  that  the  tippling  shops,  and  other 
places  of  public  resort  for  drinking,  were  the  most,  if 
not  the  true  and  only  cause  of  intemperance ;  and  I 
have  ever  avoided  them  as  the  snares  of  death.  No 
man  can,  with  truth,  accuse  me  of  entering,  or  visit- 
ing one  of  these  places  and  calling/c/r  a  gill  or  half 
libit,  to  this  day.  I  have,  in  days  when  temperance 
societies  were  unknown,  recommended  this  as  an  ex- 
ample to  others ;  but  with  what  success,  the  day  of 
final  decision  must  make  known.  It  may  be  asked, 
why  I  am  not  a  member  ]  It  is  not  because  I  think 
*  it  degrading  to  a  Baptist  to  become  a  member  of  a 
lemj^erance  society,'  but  that  my  brethren  have  now 
gone  rather  too  far  for  me,  and  more  especially,  be- 
cause I  wish  to  be  consistent  in  the  view  of  my  be- 
holders. 1.  I  have  not  yet  been  convinced  that  the 
use  of  spirits  is  in  itself  a  sin.  Convince  me  of  this 
and  I  will  be  a  member,  or  come  to  *  the  desired  re- 
sult.' But,  2d.  I  have  been  in  bad  health  for  years 
past,  as  you  know,  and  after  using  many  celebrated 
and  prepared  medicines,  without  effect,  to  restore  the 
tone  of  my  intestines,  several  of  the  most  eminent 
physicians,  at  different  times  and  places,  recommend- 
ed to  me  the  hahitual  use  of  Cogniac  brandy.  This 
course  I  adopted  reluctantly,  but  with  apparently 
good  effect.  I  now  use  it  medicinally  ;  but  this  can- 
not be  generally  known,  and  therefore,  I  do  not  join 
the  society.  But  the  main  object — to  promote  temper- 
ance, hy  suppressing  intemperance,  I  most  cordially 
patronise  and  wish  to  promote.  But  I  fear  it  is  likely 
to  suffer  in  the  hands  uf  its  friends." 

11 


226  MEMOIRS    OF 

Upon  the  letter,  from  which  the  above  is  extracted, 
the  Editor,  Rev.  W.  T.  Brantly,  who  by  the  by  was 
an  ardent  friend  and  great  admirer  of  Mr.  Mercer, 
made  some  rather  severe,  though  entirely  well-meant, 
and  good-natured  comments.  •  They  excited  many  a 
pleasant  smile  at  the  time,  rather  at  the  expense  of 
the  venerable  brother ;  and  the  Editor's  expressive 
figure,  *'  Brandy  Bay,""  soon  became  a  standard  phrase 
amongst  the  people.     The  following  are  his  remarks : 

'•  We  can  never  dissent  from  any  opinion  or  prac- 
tice of  our  dear  Mercer,  without  suspecting  and  scru- 
tinizing the   accuracy  of  our  own  views.     He  is  so 
uniformly  right   and   good,   that  we  might  be  almost 
tempted  to   pick  up,  and   preserve,  the  very  errors 
which  he  lets  fall ;  but  in  the  present  case  he  has 
dropt  from  the  rear  wallet,  more  of  this  commodity 
than  we  can  honestly  pocket,  and  more  we  apprehend 
than  he  himself  will,  on  reflection,  think  worth  pre- 
sei-vation.     The  use  of  Cagniac  in  his  own  case  for 
medicinal  purposes,  we  pretend  not  to  question.     Let 
it  be  so  in  his  case  and  in  all  other  similar  cases.     If 
it  be^  an  essential  article  in  the   Materia  Medica,  we 
have  no  quarrel  with  it.     But  we  should  remember, 
nevertheless,  that  if  our  use  of  calomel  or  arsenic^ 
which  are  potent  medicines,  should  be  likely  to  make 
our  neighbors  and  families  so  fond  of  the  poison  as  to 
endanger  their  lives,  though  w^e  ourselves  might  be 
wise  enough  to  avoid  danger  from  it,  yet  on  their  ac- 
count we  should  banish  the  snare.     I  have  a  good 
vessel  and  steerage,  and  am  an  expert  sailor,  and  can 
therefore  cruise  about  in  Brandy  Bay  without  being 
drawn  into  the  whirlpool  of  intemperance,  but  some 


JESSE    MERCER.  227 

of  my  less  skillul  neighbors,  seeing  me  sail  go  pleas- 
antly, may  be  lemptcd  to  go  a  pleasuring  upon  the 
aame  deceitful  Bay,  and  may  be  lost.  If  my  example 
encouraged  them  to  the  venture,  I  should  have  cause 
of  regi'et." 

Satisfied  at  length  that  his  example  was  doing  in- 
jury, under  the  influence  of  the  sacred  principle  laid 
down  by  the  Apostle  Paul,  that  "  it  is  good  neither 
to  eat  flesh,  nor  to  drink  wine,  nor  any  thing  whereby 
thy  brother  stumblcth,  or  is  offended,  or  is  made  tccak,'^ 
Mr.  Mercer  determined  to  abandon  his  little  moderate 
excursions  on  "  Brandy  Bay,^'  though  rendered  some- 
what needful  as  he  supposed,  by  his  declining  health, 
and  draw  up  his  boat  and  fasten  it  for  ever  upon  the 
safe  and  dry  shore  of  Total  Abstinence. 

He  soon  became  a  thorough  and  able  advocate  of 
the  cause,  was  appointed  the  President  of  a  Temper- 
ance Society  in  the  town  where  he  resided,  and  estab- 
lished a  temperance  paper,  which,  though  sustained 
at  a  pecuniary  loss  to  himself,  had  considerable  circu- 
lation, and  was  the  means  of  doing  much  good.  The 
paper  was  transfeiTed  with  the  Index  office  to  Pen- 
field,  where  it  is  now  published  by  Mr.  Benj.  Brantly, 
not  however,  as  the  paper  of  the  Convention,  but  as 
his  own  individual  concern. 

Should  any  be  anxious  to  know  what  effect  the  en- 
tire disuse  of  Coguiac  Brandy  had  upon  Mr.  Mercer's 
health,  the  writer  feels  authorized  to  state,  for  he 
heard  it  from  his  own  lips,  that  his  abstinence  was 
rather  beneficial  than  otherwise,  and  that  he  was  satis- 
fied at  iencrth  the  incdicinc  he  had  been  usinij  tended, 
on  the  whole,  to  aggravate  the  disease  it  was  designed 
to  milici^ale. 


22S  MEMOIRS    OF 

It  will  be  recollected  that  for  many  years  the  use 
of  wine  was  tolerated  by  most  temperance  societies, 
bttt  that  at  last  the  propriety  of  this  began  to  be  ques- 
tioned, and  finally  that  it  became  pretty  generally  a 
settled  point,  that  the  temperance  reformation  de- 
manded for  itself  a  radical  reform,  inasmuch  as  its- 
great  designs  could  not  thoroughly  and  universally  be 
accomplished  upon  any  other  principle  than  that  of 
total  abstinence  from  all  kinds  of  intoxicating  drinks. 
At  the  early  stage  of  this  second  reform,  Mr.  Mercer 
was  found  amongst  its  warmest  advocates ;  and  he 
was  no  less  ready  to  warn  the  people  of  the  danger- 
ous shoals  of  Madeira  Lake,  than  he  had  been  for 
many  years  to  point  out  the  fatal  whirlpools  of  Bran- 
dy Bay. 

Mr.  Mercer's  opinion  of  the  traffic  in  ardent  spirits 
may  be  learned  from  an  answer  which  he  gave 
through  the  Index  to  the  question,  "  What  is  to  be 
done  with  a  church  member  who  traffics  in  ardent 
spirits  ]"     It  is  as  follows  : 

"  In  this  case  we  are  of  opinion,  the  church  should 
be  as  kindly  affcctioncd  towards  such  a  brother,  as  the 
case  will  permit,  and  endeavor  by  brotherly  love  to 
dissuade  him  from  his  course.  His  duty  however  is 
plain.  He  should  immediately  forsake  the  traffic 
which  is  offcnsii-e  to  his  brethren,  as  his  hounden  duty. 
Read  Rom.  14  :  13.  15.  19,  20,  21.  1  Cor.  8  :  10-13. 
The  scripture  requires  us  to  walk  circumspectly.  It 
ought  to  be  noticed,  that  public  opinion  is  changed, 
and  changing  very  fast  on  this  subject.  And  the  traf- 
fic in  ardent  spirits  cannot  be  entered  into  now,  as 
safely  as  it  could  some  years  ago.  It  is  now  satisfac- 
torily ascertained  that  there  is  no  heneft  whatsoever 


JESSE    MERCER.  229 

ill  ardent  spirits.  It  must  therefore  be  morally  A\Torig 
to  offer  for  sale,  that  which  the  vender  knows  can  do 
the  buyer  no  good.  It  must  be  worse  to  offer  for  sale 
that  which  he  knows,  while  it  can  do  him  no  good., 
may  do  him  much  harm.  We  regret  very  much  that 
any  Christian  brother  should  allow  himself,  under  any 
pretence,  to  engage  in  a  traffic  which  would  make  it 
his  interest  to  cncouracfe  his  fellow-men  to  ruin  them- 
selves  for  time  and  eternity.  And  such  must  be  the 
interest  of  those  who  enter  into  the  traffic  of  ardent 
spirits." 

The  annexed  piece  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Mercer, 
appeared  also  in  the  columns  of  the  Index.  It  con- 
tains some  solid  and  judicious  reflections. 

"a    matter    for    SOBER    CONSIDERATION." 

**  Noiv  consider  this,  ye  that  forget  God,  Test  I  tear 
you  in  pieces,  and  there  he  none  to  deliver. 

JfiHOVAlT. 

"  It  is  w^ise  and  safe  in  man  to  study  the  will,  and 
endeavor  to  walk  before  God  to  all  well  pleasing. 
To  be  indifferent  to  his  honor,  must  be  offensive  to  hia 
majesty  and  provoking  to  his  wrath.  We  are  com- 
manded that  whether  we  eat  or  drink,  or  whatsoever  we 
do,  to  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God.  This  teaches  us 
that  the  little  affairs  of  life  and  the  pleasures  of  taste 
should  all  be  regulated  by  this  rule  :  for  we  may  of- 
fend in  eating  and  drinking.  This  must  depend  on 
the  motives  we  have,  and  the  extent  to  which  we  in- 
dulge them  in  eating  and  drinking.  Our  Creator 
made  us  dependant  on  wholesome  aliment  for  gi'owth, 
health  and  beauty;  and  has  graciously  given  us  ap- 


230  MEMOIRS    OF 

petites  and  cravings  for  it.  The  gi'atlfication  of  tliese 
natural  desires  so  far  as  consists  with  the  ends  to  be 
secured,  must  be  according  to  the  pleasure  of  him 
who  gave  us  riclily  all  things  to  enjoy  ;  but  all  beyond 
this  must  be  injurious  and  offensive — must  be  intem- 
perance, gluttony  and  debauch.  This  evil  state  will 
be  produced  by  losing  sight  (in  part  or  in  whole)  of 
the  meet  ends  to  be  attained  in  eating  and  drinking, 
and  in  seeking  to  satiate  those  appetites  which  are  ex- 
cessive, and  which  in  their  indulgence  become  insa- 
tiable ;  and  thus  men  plunge  themselves  into  licen- 
tiousness, dissipation  and  perdition. 

"  There  is  another  circumstance  Avhich  as^sri'avates 
this  sore  evil  among  the  people.  It  is  the  prepara- 
tion of  food,  or  the  invention  of  new  articles  of  food, 
to  suit  the  cravings  of  the  vitiated  palate,  or  to  please 
a  debased  taste,  which,  instead  of  improving  the 
strength,  pleasure  and  usefulness  of  the  body,  only 
tends  to  enervation,  disease  and  death.  Among  this 
last  class,  are  those  articles  of  food  which  have  in 
them  no  nutiiment  at  all,  and  are  used  only  for  certain 
relishes  which  they  possess,  suitable  to  gratify  the 
palate  and  regale  the  taste,  and  which  are,  therefore, 
the  better  adapted  to  increase  dissipation,  misery  and 
ruin  in  society.  Here  it  may  be  proper  to  inquire, 
whether  this  was  not,  most  probably,  the  very  purpose 
for  which  intoxicating  liquors  were  at  first  introduced 
as  a  hevej'age,  into  common  use  ?  It  could  not  have 
been  on  account  of  any  nutritious  quality  they  had ; 
for  universal  experience  has  proven  that  they  contain 
no  such  quality.  It  must,  therefore,  have  been  fi'om 
some  medical  virtue  found  in  them,  or  their  tendency 
to  excite  and  please  a  vicious  taste  their  use  had  cre- 
ated ;  or  to  animate  the  feelings  and  arouse  the  baser 


JESSE    MERCEU.  231 

passions  of  the  heart.  It  may  be  asked  if  they  can  in 
no  way  be  lawfully  used  ?  We  answer  yes  :  in  just 
so  far  as  they  can  be  satisfactorily  proven  to  be  need- 
ful, either  for  the  good  of  the  user  or  the  happiness 
of  the  community ;  otherwise  their  use  will  be  inju- 
rious, and,  by  the  dictates  of  common  sense,  ought  to 
be  declined.  But  it  may  be  further  asked, — does  not 
the  bible  allow  their  use  ;  Yes — just  so  far  and  no 
farther  than  they  are  beneficial.  The  bible  does  not 
permit  their  use  for  food ;  for  there  is  no  sustenance 
in  them.  It  cannot  allow  their  use  for  the  fulfilment 
of  any  but  the  innocent  and  natural  desires — but  there 
are  no  such  desires  for  them  to  satisfy.  There  is 
nothing  in  them  that  can  gratify  any  natural  propen- 
sity of  nature.  The  bible,  then,  allows  their  use  only 
so  far  as  they  are  medical.  That  is  in  cases  of  dis- 
ease, where  the  patient  *  is  ready  to  j^erisliy  and  sink- 
ing nature  needs  some  artificial  excitement,  or  when 
pining  sickness,  or  hysteria,  and  other  disordered  af- 
fections (heavy  hearts,)  or  a  complication  of  com- 
plaints (often  infirmities,)  make  their  use  needful  to 
sustain,  invigorate  and  assist  the  body  in  regaining  its 
health. 

"  But  we  are  fully  of  opinion  that  the  bible  indi- 
rectly, at  least,  forbids  their  use  as  a  common  bever- 
age, because  that  use  is  practised  only  to  gratify  a 
desire  or  taste  which  is  unnatural,  and  unnecessary 
for  the  benefit  of  the  body,  but  altogether  artificial, 
and  which,  in  the  attempt  to  supply  its  cravings, 
proves  itself  insatiate  and  vicious.  Let  it  be  carefully 
determined  to  what  class  of  desires  mentioned  in  the 
bible,  the  desire  which  leads  to  the  use  of  spirituous 
liquors,  belongs.  Can  it  be  classed  with  those  desires 
fur  nouiishment  which  are  common]  No — because 
*bese  always  have   something  good,  and  capable  tp 


232  MEMOIRS    OF 

give  the  satisfaction  in  view ;  but  there  is  no  such  ca- 
pacity in  those  liquors  to  afford  gratification,  and  the 
desire  for  them  does  not  belong  legitimately  to  human 
nature.     Does  it  in  any  wise  associate  with  the  de- 
sires of  the  child  of  grace,  who  is  prompted  by  the 
spirit  to  seek  spiritual  nourishment  1     No — for  these 
are  holy ;  and  the  more  they  are  fulfilled,  the  more 
spiritual,  holy,  heavenly  and  godlike  do  their  possess- 
ors become ;  but  not  so  with  the  desire  for  alcoholic 
drinks,  for  the  more  it  is  fed,  the  more  earthly^  sensu- 
al and  devilish  do  its  possessors  become.     It  cannot 
belong  to  these.     But  we  think  it  best  associates  with 
the  desires  of  the  Jlesh^  in  which  they  who  are  dead  in 
sins,  walk.     These  desires  are  called  lusts,  because  of 
their  vicious  character ;  and  they  are  declared  by  the 
apostle  to  be   *  corrupt.'     And  what  habit  tends  to 
more  corruption,  individual  and  social,  than  that  which 
is  constantly,  in  regard  to  ardent  spirits,  like  the  horse- 
leech's daughters,  crying,  give,  give, — and  like  tli  e  fire 
that  can  never  he  satisfied  ?    They  are  also  pronounced 
*  deceitful.'     And  what  desire  in  its  gi'atification  can 
be  mare  deceitful  than  this  ?  It  constantly  is  promising 
something  good  and  pleasurable  to  its  votaries,  and 
yet  deals  uniformly  in  disappointments,  wretchedness 
and  death.     They  also  are  said  to  '  tear  against  the 
soul.'     And  what  desire  or  lust  can  strike  a  more 
deadly  blow  at  every  interest  of  the  soul,  whether  for 
time  or  eternity,  than  this  ? 

"  If  the  desire  for  alcoholic  liquors  must  be  classed 
with  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  we  cannot  see  that  it 
can  be  placed  in  any  other  company,  then  the  bible 
must  be  at  war  with  the  fulfilment  of  it,  because  its 
tendency  is  as  much,  if  not  more  than  any  other,  to 
fill  the  icorld  with  corrujjtion.  And  if  God  is  at  va- 
riance with  the  <^uses  of  sin,  and  strikes  at  the  roots 


JESSE    MERCER.  233 

of  iniquity,  lio  must  be  opposed  to  this,  as  a  most 
fniilful  source  of  all  moral  evil — of  all  unriohteous- 

O 

ness  and  ungodliness  in  the  eaith.  To  suppose  liim 
to  be  favorable  to  the  gratification  of  this  desire,  any 
more  than  he  is  favorable  to  the  fractice  of  sin^  would 
be  to  suppose  him  the  accomplice  of  the  workers  of 
iniquity,  and  to  hare  fellowship  with  the  fruitful  work 
of  unrighteousness  ;  which  would  be  palpably  deroga- 
tory' to  all  the  attributes  of  his  nature,  and  counter  to 
all  the  tenor  of  his  word.     It  cannot  be. 

"  And  now  to  conclude  this  long  article,  permit  us 
to  address  among  our  readers,  the  professors  of  reli- 
gion. We  request  every  christian  brother  whose  eyes 
shall  fall  on  these  lines,  to  ask  himself,  as  in  the  pres- 
ence of  God  his  Saviour,  whether  it  is  light  to  use 
any  thing,  not  necessary  to  his  well-being,  which  tends 
to  generate  a  thirst,  the  gratification  of  which  is  dan- 
gerous to  morality,  piety,  and  religion  %  And  whether 
it  can  be  y\^\1  to  fulfil  the  desires  of  that  thirst  when 
excited,  since  it  only  leads  to  disorder,  miseiy,  and 
death  %  You  have  professed  to  be  converted  from 
sin,  to  have  turned  to  God  and  joined  his  armies, 
warring:  asfainst  all  unrighteousness  and  ungodliness 
in  the  world.  TiTily  it  may  be  said  of  those  who  in- 
dulge in  potations  to  slake  this  vicious  thirst,  that  they 
have  not  resisted  unto  hload,  striving  against  sin;  but 
they  have  by  their  example  and  influence,  been  build- 
ing up  the  strongholds  of  the  kingdom  of  darkness. 
Alas  !  alas !  for  this  inconsistency.  We  are  aston- 
ished that  christian  professors  have  slej^t  over  this 
glaring  sin  so  long.  That  they  have  not  opened  their 
eyes  and  looked  on  the  prodigious  strides  which  ini- 
quity is  taking  by  means  of  this  vice,  encouraged  by 

iheii'  example,  leaving  behind  it  nought  but  tears,  wo 
-  11* 


234  MEMOIRS    OP 

and  despair.  We  trust  they  will  soon  talve  the  warn- 
ino-,  and  arise  to  the  rescue.  That  ministers  of  the 
gospel  will,  with  one  voice,  'Blow  the  tiTimpet  in 
Zion,  and  sound  the  alarm  in  God's  holy  mount,'  until 
all  shall  unite  in  the  pledge  of  total  abstinence." 

Brief  sketch  of   a    temperance    discourse     found 
amongst  Mr.  Mercer's  manuscripts. 

"Rom.  13  :  10.  Love  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neigh- 
bor;  Therefore  love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  Law." 

"  T.  Love — what  is  it  1 

"  Love  fulfils  both  tables  of  the  law.  Matt.  22  : 
35 — 40.  But  more  particularly  the  second.  Matt.  7  : 
12.  Love  to  ourselves  fixes  the  standard  of  moral 
conduct.  It  is  a  principle  of  nature.  Rom.  2  :  13 — 15. 
It  secures  us  from  harm.  Eph.  5  :  29. — and  leads  to 
happiness  and  praise.  Ps.  49  :  18.  (*  Men  will  praise 
thee  when  thou  doest  well  to  thyself.') 

"  This  principle  will  secure  our  neighbor  from  in- 
jury, (see  the  text,)  and  seek  his  good;  Rom.  15  :  2. 
It  will  forego  its  o^^^l  pleasure  to  save  its  neiglibor 
from  suffering  injury;  Rom.  14  :  21.  It  will  even 
abandon  what  is  lav/ful,  Jest  it  should  do  harm,  &c. ; 
1  Cor.  8  :  9—13. 

**  It  appears  from  the  foregoing,  that  all  men  are 
bound  not  to  injure  themselves  or  their  neighbor ;  but 
to  do  good  both  to  themselves  and  their  neighbor. 
This  is  the  law  of  nature  and  nature's  God.  And 
this,  love  to  God  and  love  to  man  will  secure. 

"  II.  Having  fixed  the  true  principles  of  morality, 
let  us  now  apply  them  to  the  subject  before  us. 

"  Let  us  inquire  whether  intoxicating  liquors  can 
be  used  as  a  common  bev.erage,  without  injury  to 
ourselves  and  others  1 


JESSE    MERCER.  235 

"  1.  To  ourselves.  They  are  unnecessary.  Un- 
natural excitements  must  do  harm.  They  may  infix 
[evilj  habits ;  create  [improper]  relishes,  and  produce 
diseases  and  death. 

**  2.  To  others.  The  use  of  intoxicating  beverages 
will  influence  society  for  evil. 

"  The  effect  on  the  refoiTning  inebriate  must  be  de- 
structive. Intemperance  will  increase  as  any  intoxi- 
cating drinks  are  indulged  in. 

**  Motives  to  total  abstinence.  Love  of  ourselves — 
love  of  country — love  of  our  family — love  of  our 
neighbor — and  lastly,  love  to  God  and  immortal  hap- 
piness, should  secure  us  against  this  besetting  sin." 

To  the  above  may  be  added  a  few  short  notes  in 
reference  to  the  objection  which  is  sometimes  urged 
against  total  abstinence  societies,  viz.  that  the  scrip- 
tures allow  the  use  of  wine. 

"  ] .  The  bible  seems  to  show  the  proper  use  to 
be  restricted  to  the  faint  and  weary.  See  the  case  2 
Sam.  16  : 1,  2.  and  the  case  of  Lemuel,  Prov.  31  :  4 — 6, 
These  are  high  examples. 

"  2.  The  disuse  is  commended — In  the  case  of  the 
Rechabites,  Jer.  35  :  18,  19.  In  the  case  of  Daniel, 
&c. ;  Dan.  1  :  5.  8.  15.  In  the  case  of  John  the  Bap- 
tist ;  Luke  1  :  15. 

**  3.  Total  abstinence  is  enjoined  in  the  case  of  the 
priests  in  the  sanctuary ;  Lev.  10:8 — 11.  Of  the 
Nazarites  ;   Num.  G  :  1 — 1. 

"  4.  It  is  considered  a  curse.  See  the  case  of  Han- 
nah ;  1  Sam.  1  :  14—16.     Micah  2  :  10,  11. 

"  5.  The  history  of  wine  in  the  bible,  is  the  history 
of  sin  and  death." 


236  MEMOIRS  OF 

CHAPTER  XL 

Mr.  Mercer's  pecuniary  contributions  to  benevolent  objects. 

Mr.  Mercer  was  a  man  of  unbounded  liberality. 
*'  I  am  pei-suaded,"  said  he,  in  a  letter  to  a  christian 
brother,  "  the  day  will  come  when  christians  will  have 
no  other  object  in  making  money,  but  to  give  back 
again  to  the  Giver,  in  some  useful  way."  Few  men 
have  acted  in  more  strict  accordance  with  this  senti- 
ment, than  the  author  of  it  himself.  His  liberality 
was  not  under  the  control  of  sudden,  variable,  and 
undisciplined  impulses,  but  was  regulated  by  sound 
judgment  and  established  principle.  He  felt  that  he 
belonged  to  the  Lord,  that  all  which  he  possessed  was 
the  Lord's,  and  how  well  he  fulfilled  the  duties  of  his 
stewardship,  his  unwearied  acts  of  benevolence  for  a 
long  series  of  years  bear  ample  testimony.  In  his  ca- 
reer of  liberality  and  well-doing,  "he  walked  by 
faith."  He  exercised  an  habitual  and  strong  reliance 
upon  those  promises  which  connect  the  blessing  of 
heaven  with  the  judicious  and  bountiful  appropriation 
of  our  substance  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  "He  used 
to  relate,"  says  a  brother  that  knew  him  well,  "  many 
instances  in  his  own  history,  of  the  Lord's  willingness 
to  remunerate  those  who  gave  for  his  cause.  He  had 
been  one  winter  handins;^  out  his  five  dollars  to  several 
benevolent- objects  as  they  had  been  presented,  till  he 
thought  prudence  dictated  that  he  should  do  no  more 
at  present.  In  a  day  or  two  the  claims  of  the  Jews 
were  brought  before  the  community  at  Powelton. 
Notwithstanding  his  fears  about  duty,  he  again  threw 
:ti  liis  five  dollars.     That  night  he  took  from  the  Post 


JESSE    MERCER.  237 

Oflico  a  loiter  containing  twenty  dollars,  from  an  un- 
known person.  Several  instances  of  this  kind  were 
within  his  own  knowledge."  It  might  be  proper  here 
to  state,  that  tlie  circumstance  just  related  occurred  at 
a  time  when  his  means  for  giving  were  limited  in 
comparison  with  what  they  were  at  a  later  period  of 
his  life. 

It  was  a  matter  of  great  giief  to  him  that  so  many 
of  his  brethren  witliheld  their  pecuniaiy  aid  from  the 
cause  of  Christ,  and  that  so  many  who  pretended  to 
give,  measured  out  their  bounty  with  such  a  parsimo- 
nious hand.  He  used  occasionally  to  say,  "  we  have  a 
gi'eat  many  dollar  vien  amongst  us.  Present  to  them  a 
subscription  for  the  preacher,  and  they  will  put  down 
a  dollar ;  hand  them  the  missionary  subscription, 
and  they  will  put  down  a  dollar  ;  ask  them  to  aid  the 
Sabbath  school  cause,  and  they  will  give  a  dollar. 
This  seems  to  be  their  standard,  w^hen  many  of  them, 
if  they  had  the  disposition,  might  just  as  easily  give 
their  Jives,  their  toiSy  and  their  fifties.^''  Brother 
Mercer  was  not  a  dollar  man.  He  gave  by  hundreds 
and  thousands,  and  tens  of  thousands.  It  would  be 
very  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  make  out  a  full  and 
accurate  list  of  his  more  public  benefactions  ;  and  still 
more  so,  to  write  the  history  of  his  private  bounties. 
It  is  probable  that  many  and  large  amounts  were  dis- 
tributed by  his  right  hand,  which  his  left  was  forbid- 
den to  know,  and  which  will  not  be  knowTi  to  men, 
till  the  judgment  shall  reveal  the  secret  charities  fef 
the  faithful. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  for  a  long  series  of 
years,  most  of  the  compensation  which  he  received 
from  the  churches  for  his  ministerial  labors,  was  ap- 
propriated to  charitable  purposes  ;  the  addition  which 


238  MEMOIRS    OP 

he  made  to  his  estate,  being  derived  mainly  from  the 
sale  of  books,  and  other  sources.  After  the  death  of 
his  last  child  (in  1814,)  he  seemed  to  have  lost  sight 
of  every  object  for  the  accumulation  of  property,  but 
the  cause  of  the  blessed  Redeemer.  Some  of  his  oc- 
casional donations  to  benevolent  objects  will  now  be 
specified. 

The  Columbian  College  shared  largely  in  his  boun- 
ty. On  one  occasion  he  gave  $750  to  that  Institution ; 
at  another,  $1000. 

He  aided  the  Mercer  University  by  numerous  and 
liberal  contributions.  To  defray  the  current  expenses 
at  the  outset,  he  gave  say  $150  ;  for  the  land  first  and 
last,  $550  ;  for  one  of  the  buildings,  $1000  ;  for  anoth- 
er, $400 ;  For  the  library  and  apparatus,  he  also  gave 
$400 ;  and  he  gave  his  note  for  $5000,  the  interest  to 
be  appropriated  to  assist  in  the  support  of  the  faculty. 
To  the  Female  Academy  in  Washington,  under 
the  control  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination,  he  gave 
$300  ;  to  the  Baptist  church  in  that  place,  he  gave  a 
house  and  lot  for  a  parsonage. 

The  Christian  Index,  press,  type,  and  outstanding 
dues,  he  turned  over  to  the  Convention ;  and  he  also 
gave  to  the  Georgia  Association  all  the  unsold  copies 
of  his  history  of  that  body,  amounting  to  one  thousand 
or  more,  to  be  disposed  of  for  any  purpose  that  his 
brethren  might  deem  proper. 

To  the  bible  cause  he  was  a  liberal  contributor ; 
Tract,  and  Sabbath  school  institutions  found  in  him  a 
ready  and  bountiful  patron  ;  indeed,  there  was  scarce- 
ly any  object  of  benevolence  placed  before  him, 
which  commended  itself  to  his  judgment  as  proper 
and  deserving,  which  was  dismissed  without  his 
prayers  and  his  alms. 


JESSE    MERCER.  239 

His  noble  coiitiibutions  to  sustain  the  missionary 
enterprise,  are   well  known  to  the  christian  commu'- 
nity.     Besides  his  regular  annual  contributions,  which 
were  generally  large,  he  gave  at  one  time  to  the  Bap- 
tist Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  fifty  shares  of  United 
States  Bank  stock,  worth  at  the  time,  five  tliousancl 
five  hundred  dollars.     The  enlightened  views  which 
he   entertained  when  determinhig  the  specific  appli- 
cation to  be  made  of  this  generous  donation,  will  ap- 
pear from  a  short  extract  from  a  letter  to  Mr.  Bolles 
the  corresponding  secretary.     *'  I  hasten  to  reply  in 
reference  to  the  endowment  of  a  permanent  fund.     1 
am  not  of  the  number  who  believe  the  funds  desig- 
nated for  missions,  must  not  be  applied  to  any  pur- 
pose but  the  operations  in  the  fields,  but  to  all  the 
needful  means  for  putting  those  operations  into  mo- 
tion.    The  support  of  those  officers  whose  sei-\ices 
are  needed  all  the  time,  must  be  provided  for,  as  well 
as  the  laborers  at  the   stations.     I   am  therefore,  as 
cheerful  to  consecrate  my  bequest  to  that  fund,  the 
interest  of  which  is  only  to  be  used  in   paying  the 
salaries  of  the  officers  of  the  Board,  whose  services 
are  as  above,  as  to   any   missionary  purpose ;  as   the 
one  is  indispensable  to  the  other,  and  will  as  well  for- 
ward the  general  design." 

In  relation  to  this  liberal  donation,  the  coiTespond- 
ing  secretary,  in  the  closing  part  of  a  lengthy  commu- 
nication to  Mr.  Mercer,  writes  as  follows,  under  date 
of  Oct.  12,  183o.  **  Since  writing  the  above,  the 
Board  has  held  a  special  meeting,  and  acted  on  the 
subject  of  your  munificent  donation.  They  were 
deeply  impressed  with  the  Christian  and  fraternal 
spirit  whic'li  all  your  letters  in  relation  to  it  indicate, 


24(>  MEMOIRS    OF 

and  the  enlarged  views  taken  by  you  in  assigning  it 
the  direction  you  have.  The  following  extracts  from 
the  minutes  of  the  Board  will  show  their  sentiments 
and  purpose. 

"  *  1.  The  coiTesponding  secretary  read  a  letter 
from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mercer,  enclosing  as  a  donation  to 
the  Board,  fifty  shares  of  the  United  States  Bank 
stock. 

"  '  2.  Also  another  letter  from  the  same,  specifying 
that  the  above  named  shares  are  to  be  a  perpetual 
fund,  the  nett  proceeds  of  which  shall  be  applied  to 
the  support  of  the  Secretary  (or  Secretaries,)  and 
Treasurer  of  the  convention. 

"  *  3.  Resolved,  that  the  Board  gratefully  accept 
the  above  donation  on  the  conditions  specified  by  the 
donor. 

"  *  4.  Resolved,  that  the  Cor.  Secretary  be  request- 
ed to  address  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Jesse  Mercer,  D.  D. 
President  of  this  Board,  expressing  our  high  sense  of 
his  kindness  and  liberality,  accompanied  by  a  coj)y  of 
the  resolutions  adopted  in  relation  to  it.'  " 

To  some  of  his  brethren  who  were  on  terms  of 
confidential  intercourse  with  him,  it  was  known  many 
years  before  his  death,  that  he  intended  to  bequeath 
the  principal  portion  of  his  estate  to  the  cause  of 
Christ.  He  had  many  relations,  and  some  of  them 
in  limited  circumstances,  who  would,  no  doubt,  have 
been  gratified  to  have  received  a  liberal  portion  of 
his  substance  ;  but  the  question  with  this  conscientious 
and  holy  man  was,  "  in  what  way  can  I  dispose  of 
that  which  God  has  given  me,  so  that  the  greatest 
amount  of  good  will  ensue,  and  the  Lord  be  most 
glorified  ]"     When  his  Will  was  opened,  it  was  found 


JESSE    MERCER.  241 

that  llio  piiq-yose  which  had  bcrn  long  and  calmly 
resolved  and  firmly  settled  in  his  mind,  was  carried 
faithfully  out.  All,  all  that  he  had  to  dispose  of,  with 
some  trifling  exceptions,  was  bequeathed  to  the  Sa- 
viour, who  had  bought  liim  with  his  blood.  The  fol- 
lowing exti-acts  from  his  last  Will  and  Testament, 
exhibit  the  details  of  his  final,  pious  benefactions. 

"  As  it  hath  pleased  God  to  take  my  beloved  wife, 
Nancy  Mercer,  to  himself,  I  now  proceed  to  make 
such  distribution  of  the  property  now  left  in  my 
hands,  as  voluntarily  and  mutually  agreed  upon  when 
we  first  came  together  in  maniage.  We  having  seen, 
as  we  thought,  an  evil  rather  than  a  benefit,  in  be- 
queathing property  to  relatives ;  that  even  the  expec- 
tation of  receiving  such  gifts,  often  nourishes  evil 
propensities,  &c.  concluded  that  when  we  should  no 
longer  need  the  use  of  our  temporal  effects,  they 
should  be  disposed  of  to  benevolent  and  literaiy  In- 
stitutions, according  as  might  seem  to  be  most  advisa- 
ble. I  therefore,  for  aiding  tind  assisting  in  the  ope- 
rations of  the  following  benevolent  societies  and  in- 
stitutions, give  and  devise,  to  wit ; 

**  1.  I  give  and  devise  to  the  Baptist  Convention  in 
the  United  States,  for  Foreign  Missions,  fifty  shares 
of  the  capital  stock  in  the  bank  of  Augusta,  Georgia. 

*'  2.  I  give  and  devise  to  the  Baptist  Publication 
Society,  twenty-five  shares  of  the  capital  stock  in  the 
bank  of  Augusta,  Georgia. 

"3.  I  give  and  devise  to  the  American  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society,  twenty-five  shares  of  the  capital  stock 
in  the  bank  of  the  state  of  Georsria. 

o 

**  4.  I  give  and  devise  to  the  American  Tract  So- 
ciety, twenty-five  shares  of  the  capital  stock  in  the 
Bank  of  Augusta,  Georgia. 


242  MEMOIRS    OF 

"  5.  I  give  and  devise  to  the  American  Baptist 
Home  Mission  Society,  chiefly  to  aid  in  their  opera- 
tions in  Texas,  twenty-five  shares  of  the  capital  stock 
in  the  Bank  of  the  state  of  Georgia. 

"6.  I  give  and  devise  to  the  ti'ustees  of  the  Colum- 
bian  College  in  the  Distiict  of  Columbia,  twenty-two 
shares  of  the  capital  stock  in  the  Bank  of  the  state  of 
Georgia :  provided,  however,  that  if  the  debts  of  the 
said  Columbian  College  remain  unpaid  six  months 
after  my  decease,  and  the  Institution  still  embarrassed, 
then  the  twenty-two  shares  of  bank  stock  to  it  devised, 
shall  be  given  to  the  Baptist  Convention  for  foreign 
missions,  in  addition  to  that  bequest  made  in  No.  1  of 
this  will. 

"  7.  I  give  and  devise  to  the  trustees  of  the  Mercer 
University,  Penfield,  Green  county,  Georgia,  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  shares  of  the  capital  stock 
in  the  Georgia  Rail  Road  and  Banking  Company,  for 
the  support  of  the  Faculty  of  said  Institution,  and 
such  other  purposes  as  the  said  Trustees  may  find 
necessary ;  the  dividends  or  annual  income  only,  to 
be  used. 

***** 

"  I  make  the  further  bequests  : 

"  I  give  and  devise  to  the  TiTistees  of  the  Mercer 
University,  at  Penfield,  Georgia,  one  hundred  shares 
of  the  capital  stock  of  the  Bank  of  the  state  of  Geor- 
gia, and  the  w*hole  residuary  of  my  estate,  which  may 
remain  after  the  payment  of  all  my  just  debts  and 
necessary  claims  thereon,  and  what  may  hereafter  be 
bequeathed.  This  amount  is  to  constitute,  wuth  the 
sum  of  the  professorship  made  by  the  Central  Asso- 
ciation, a  professorship  of  Sacred,  Biblical  Literature, 
or  Theological  Learning.  The  annual  income  of 
which  only,  to  be  used. 


JESSE    MERCER.  243 

#  *  *  #  * 

*'  My  library  I  wish  also  to  be  tiuTied  oVer  to  the 
University,  and  all  other  books  which  may  remain  un- 
disposed of  at  the  time  of  my  decease,  to  be  disposed 
of  as  the  Trustees  may  direct." 

How  pleasant  to  the  pious  heart  to  contemplate 
such  pure  and  bright  examples  of  enlarged  and  dis- 
interested philanthropy.  They  are  rare  indeed,  but 
their  moral  influence  upon  the  church  cannot  but  be 
salutary  and  lasting.  Each  one  is  a  portion  of  pre- 
cious leaven  thrown  into  the  great  mass,  which  in  due 
time  will  work  out  a  sure  and  blessed  result.  Covet- 
ousness,  which  has  so  long  been  the  sin  and  curse 
of  the  church,  must  sooner  or  later  yield  up  its  sway 
under  the  increasing  light  and  power  of  gospel  influ- 
ence. But  the  benevolent  heait  is  pained  in  reflect- 
ing how  long  it  will  probably  be,  before  this  auspi- 
cious era  will  anive,  and  the  universal  church  fully 
realize    the    sweetness    and    glory  of  the    Saviour's 

words,  "  IT  IS  MORE  BLESSED  TO  GIVE  THAN  TO  RE- 
CEIVE." Is  there  one  amongst  a  hundred,  nay,  one 
amongst  a  thousand  of  the  Baptists  of  America,  who, 
as  to  his  pecuniary  sacrifices  for  the  spread  of  the 
gospel,  has  a  right  to  shai-e  the  honor  of  her  that 
anointed  the  Saviour  for  his  burying,  of  whom  it  was 
said,  ^^ she  hatli  done  icliat  she  couldy  There  are 
about  sixty  thousand  Baptists  in  the  state  of  Georgia. 
Were  they  all  to  be  wanned  with  pentecostal  fire 
and  love ;  were  the  grace  vouchsafed  to  the  Macedo- 
nian churches,  which,  in  their  deep  poverty,  abounded 
still  in  their  charities,  and  to  their  power,  and  beyond 
their  power,  imparted  of  their  substance  to  relieve 
their   suffering   brethren ;     we  should    soon    see    an 


"244  MEMOIRS  OP 

amount  brought  forward  for  benevolent  purposes, 
equal,  perhaps,  to  the  present  annual  contributions  of 
the  entire  denomination  for  Foreign  and  Domestic 
Missions.  It  would  no  longer  be  necessary  to  beg 
and  implore,  and  argue,  to  gain  their  consent  to  give, 
but  with  joyful  haste  would  each  and  all  come  for- 
ward, "  praying  us  with  much  entreaty  that  we  would 
receive  the  gift,"  and  bear  it  speedily  to  the  needy 
and  perishing.  There  are  half  a  million  Baptists  in 
the  United  States,  who  could  give  annually,  from  fifty 
cents  to  one  thousand  dollars  for  the  dissemination  of 
gospel  light.  Yet  there  are  thousands,  whom  God 
has  blessed  with  plenty,  and  who  profess  to  have  been 
purchased  with  the  blood  of  Christ,  and  to  be  heirs 
of  a  heavenly  crown,  who  have  not  a  mite  to  give ; 
and  of  those  that  do  something,  how  many  are  far- 
thing men,  and  dollar  men,  who  would  be  the  hap- 
pier and  the  richer  for  increasing  their  bounty  a  hun- 
dred fold.  When  our  brethren  shall  all  begin  to  feel 
that  the  highest  and  noblest  object  they  are  to  have 
in  view  in  making  money,  is  "  to  give  it  hack  again  to 
the  Giver,  in  some  useful  way,^''  when  they  shall  all 
begin  to  associate  the  claims  of  Zion  with  the  daily 
wants  of  their  wives  and  children,  and  plow,  and 
sow,  and  reap  for  the  Lord  and  his  cause,  rather  than 
for  the  gratification  of  their  own  pride  and  covetous- 
ness,  and  love  of  ease ;  when  each  shall  settle  it  in 
his  mind  to  do  what  he  can,  certainly,  systematically, 
and  from  established  and  deep-seated  principle,  then 
will  abundant  means  flow  in  for  all  needful  objects 
in  our  own,  and  every  foreign  land ;  nay,  it  might 
soon  be  necessary  to  say  to  the  churches,  as  was  said 
to  ancient  Israel  when  contributing  for  the  Ark  and 
the  Tabernacle,  ^^  the  j)(^oile  bring  mvrh   more  than 


JESSE    MERCER.  245 

enough  for  lite  service  of  the  work^  It  is  high  time 
for  us,  as  a  people,  to  bemoan  our  sins,  and  repent  in 
dust  and  ashes.  AVhat  poor  returns  have  we  made  to 
the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits  !  The  examples  of  Jud- 
son,  and  Cobb,  and  Withington,  and  Mercer,  re- 
j)rove  us  ;  especially  are  we  reproved  by  the  example 
of  our  blessed  Saviour,  who,  "  though  he  was  richj  yet 
for  our  sa/ics  became  jwory  that  we  through  his  povcrtj] 
might  he  rich^^ 


CHAPTER  Xir. 

L*iili;ippy  divisions  in   ihe  cliurches.-'^Mr.  Mercer's  opinions  as  to 

I      the  causes. — Mis   Circular   Letter  published    in    llie   Convenlian 

Minutes  of  1331. — Usefulness  at   ministers'   meetings. — Extracts 

from  lii.s    sermon  on  ministerial  union. — Letters  to  Mr.  B.  arnl 

Mr.  L. 

For  twenty-five  or  thirty  years  previous  to  1S29, 
the  Baptist  churches  of  Georgia  had  lived  in  great 
peace  and  harmony.  Some  occasional  difficulties,  it 
is  true,  had  occurred,  but  they  were  generally  con- 
fined to  narrow  bounds,  to  inconsiderable  numbers, 
and  were  of  comparatively  short  duration.  The  years 
1827  and  1828  were  signalized  by  a  remarkable  out- 
pouring of  the  spirit  upon  many  of  the  churches,  and 
by  uncommonly  large  and  rapid  accessions  to  their 
numbers. 

This  period  of  unexampled  prosperity  was  followed 
by  extraordinary  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  adversary 
of  the  church,  to  sow  the  tares  of  strife  and  confu- 
sion.    A  great  reaction  in  the  zeal  of  many  of  Chrisl's 


246  MEMOIRS    OF 

ministers  and  people  seems  to  have  taken  place  j 
practical  godliness  was  too  generally  neglected ;  those 
continued  and  well  directed  means,  which  are  so  es- 
sential to  pei-petuate  and  multiply  the  happy  results 
of  powerful  revivals  of  religion,  were  greatly  neg- 
lected ;  and  of  course  we  need  not  be  much  surprised 
that  the  efforts  of  the  enemy  were  so  sadly  and  exten- 
sively successful.  The  writer  would  gladly  avoid  all 
reference  to  this  unpleasant  topic ;  but  a  narrative 
that  should  entirely  overlook  it,  would  not  be  a  full 
and  faithful  record  of  the  life  of  Mr.  JNIercer.  Whilst, 
therefore,  a  sense  of  duty  compels  him  to  take  a  cur- 
sory view  of  some  events  which  cannot  be  called  to 
mind  but  with  the  deepest  sorrow,  he  trusts  that  he 
will  not  be  suspected  of  the  most  distant  intention  to 
afflict  the  feelings  of  a  single  christian  brother,  or  to 
rend  afresh  those  wounds  which  are  now  so  rapidly 
healing  under  the  gi'acious  care  of  the  great  Head  of 
the  church. 

A  dis^josition  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  associa- 
tions to  interfere  in  what  was  considered  an  arbitrary 
and  unscriptural  manner  with  the  affairs  of  the 
churches,  was  one  of  the  most  fruitful  sources  of  the 
many  distressing  evils  which  so  long  afflicted  the  Bap- 
tists of  Georgia.  The  encroachments  of  associations 
were  met  with  prompt  resistance  on  the  part  of  many 
of  the  churches,  mingled,  oftentimes,  no  doubt,  with 
a  spirit  not  the  most  lovely  and  conciliating ;  this,  in 
some  instances,  was  followed  by  attempts  on  the  part 
of  the  associations  to  justify  their  previous  course, 
and  by  further  acts,  which  the  churches  deemed  an 
unwaiTantable  interference  with  their  rights.  The 
result  of  these  proceedings  was,  that  some  of  the 
churches  withdrew  from  the  associations,   and  some 


JESSE    MERCER.  247 

were  withdrawn  from ;  whilst  others  were  sadly  di- 
vided amongst  themselves,  and  rent  into  fragments. 
In  many  cases,  associational  coirespondence  was  laid 
aside,  ministerial  friendshi])  and  intercourse  were  en- 
tirely suspended,  and  the  communion  and  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  churches  broken.  Bitter  jealousies,  evil 
surmisings,  and  uncharitable  accusations  were  multi- 
plied ;  whilst  the  occasional  attempts  which  were 
made  to  bring  about  a  more  desirable  state  of  things, 
seemed  for  a  time,  only  to  aggravate  the  disorders 
they  were  intended  to  cure.  In  the  mean  time,  the 
anti-missionary  spirit,  which  it  is  to  be  feared  had 
been  secretly  operating  for  several  years,  burst  forth 
in  great  violence,  and  by  its  rending,  non-fellowthip 
policy,  increased  still  further  the  work  of  stiife  and 
confusion.  It  was  one  of  the  gi'eatest  afflictions  of 
Mr.  Mercer's  life,  that  some  of  the  brethren  with 
whom  he  had  co-operated  on  terais  of  christian  confi- 
dence and  affection,  became  alienated  from  him,  and 
from  those  noble,  benevolent  objects  which  he  had  so 
long  been  engaged  in  sustaining,  and  that  some  even 
went  so  far  as  to  accuse  him  of  a  departure  from  the 
gospel  faith. 

Under  such  peculiar  circumstances,  it  seemed  that 
important  duties  devolved  upon  the  intelligent  and 
influential  members  of  the  denomination;  and  espe- 
cially, upon  the  venerable  father  whose  counsels  had 
ever  been  so  much  valued  in  times  of  difficulty  and 
trial.  It  was  of  gi'eat  importance  to  ascertain  and 
exhibit  the  causes  of  these  multiplied  afflictions,  and 
also  to  search  out  and  unfold  the  appropriate  reme- 
dies ;  to  place  in  a  clear  and  convincing  light,  befoie 
the  churches  and  associations,  the  established  princi- 
ples of  the  denomination,  and  wherein  these  princi- 


248  MEiMolHS    OF 

pies  had  been  lost  sight  of;  and  not  only  to  bring 
back  the  erring  to  coiTect  principles  of  discipline, 
but,  as  far  as  possible,  to  assuage  exasperated  feeling, 
and  restore  divided  and  alienated  brethren  to  each 
others  confidence,  fellowship,  and  affection.  In  the 
efforts  which  were  made  to  accomplish  these  de- 
sirable ends,  Mr.  Mercer,  as  might  have  been  expect- 
ed, took  a  conspicuous  part.  His  faithful  exertions 
at  associational  meetings,  his  private  labors  with  breth- 
ren by  epistolary  correspondence  and  personal  inter- 
course, his  able  circulars  and  essays,  together  with 
his  numerous  editorial  communications  in  the  Index, 
in  exposition  of  the  faith  and  practice  of  the  denomi- 
nation, and  his  prompt,  indefatigable  labors  at  impor- 
tant ministerial  convocations,  all  go  to  illustrate  the 
ardent  zeal  with  which  he  toiled  for  reconciliation 
and  peace,  as  well  as  the  great  utility  of  the  services 
which  he  rendered. 

The  disunion  of  the  churches  had  been  charged  by 
some  to  the  objects  and  operations  of  the  Baptist 
State  Convention.  In  reference  to  this  accusation, 
Mr.  Mercer  makes  the  following  judicious  remarks. 
"  Before  any  acts  can  be  considered  '  fellowship-de- 
stroying,' they  must  be  ascertained  to  be  either  im- 
moral in  themselves,  or  evil  in  their  tendency.  But 
what  immorality  or  evil  tendency  was  there  in  the  ob- 
jects of  the  General  Association  1  For  instance,  what 
immorality  can  there  be  in  an  effort  to  unite  the  infla- 
ence  and  pious  intelligence  of  Georgia  Baptists,  so  as 
thereby  to  facilitate  their  union  and  co-operation  ] 
Or  what  evil  can  there  be  in  forming  and  encouraging 
plans  for  the  revival  of  experimental  and  practical 
religion  %  Or  can  there  be  any  sin  in  giving  effect  to 
the  useful  plans  of  the  several  Associations  %     Or  can 


JESSE    MERCER.  249 

it  be  thought  a  bad  thing  to  furnish  the  means  for  the 
education  of  young,  jnous  and  indigent  men,  who  are 
approved  by  their  churches  as  called  of  God  to  the 
gospel  ministry  %  Or  can  it  be  regarded  by  any  as  an 
immoral  thing  to  promote  pious  and  useful  education 
in  the  Baptist  denomination  ]  We  cannot  conclude 
that  any  man  whose  mind  has  been  in  any  wise  im- 
bued by  that  wisdom  which  is  necessary  to  direct,  will 
pretend  there  is  any  cause  in  any  of  these  objects  to 
break  the  union  of  the  churches/' 

Some  of  Mr.  Mercer's  views  as  to  the  real  causes 
of  the  unhappy  divisions  complained  of  may  be  learn- 
ed fiom  one  or  two  extracts  from  his  editorial  com- 
munications. 

**  All  divisions  are  the  fruit  of  contention  and  strife, 
originating  in  pride  and  ambition,  the  agitating  of 
*  unlearned  questiojis,''  or  departures  from  the  tine 
faith  and  order.  There  is  no  evil  atrainst  which  wo 
are  more  advised  and  cautioned  in  scripture,  than 
this  ;  which  shows,  not  only  the  evil  of  party  strifes, 
but  the  unhappy  bias  under  which  we  naturally  tend 
to  divide  and  break  asunder  the  cords  which  bind  us 
together  in  unity  and  peace ;  and  against  which  we 
ought  tlicrefore  to  keep  up  a  most  strenuous  guard. 

*'  I  consider  the  causes  of  these  divisions,  which 
have  rent  our  churches  and  spoiled  our  beauty,  as  a 
denomination,  aie  to  be  found  in  the  neglect  of  a 
godly  discipline,  and  the  consequent  results. 

"  Our  Lord  has  laid  down  a  few  plain  rules  of  gov- 
erament,  and  established  a  trilmnal  in  his  church,  at 
which  all  offences  are  to  be  tried  and  decided  ;  and 
from  which  there  is  no  appeal.  I  believe  it  is  adopted 
by  all  regular  Bajitists  as  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  that 

\2 


250  MEMOIRS    OF 

his  church  is  his  kingdom  on  earth ;  that  he  sits  in 
judgment  there  ;  and  that  when  a  gospel  church  is 
sitting  m  gospel  order,  for  the  transaction  of  discipli- 
nary business,  t7ie?-e  is  not  a  higher  court  on  earth  ; 
and  that  such  church  is  arraignable  at  no  other,  or 
foreign  har :  because  her  Judge  is  in  her  midst,  an:l 
has  commanded  her  implicit  obedience.  Now  any 
departure  from  these  rules,  and  any  appeal  from  this 
authority  and  tribunal,  will,  can  do  no  other  than  pro- 
duce amongst  Baptists,  strifes  and  divisions." 

Again  he  observes  : 

"  The  Lord  has  laid  down  those  rules  by  which  a 
godly  government  can  be  kept  up,  and  all  the  sepa- 
rations or  distinctions  placed  between  the  righteous 
and  the  wicked,  w^hich  are  necessary  for  all  the  pur- 
poses of  godliness  in  tlie  world.  Now  any  rules  set 
up,  other  than  his,  are  stumbling  blocks  set  up,  by 
which  brethren  are  made  to  fall.  When  churches  or 
associations  establish  rules  which  the  scriptures  no- 
where require,  and  make  the  observance  of  them  ne- 
cessary to  fellowship ;  then  they  cause  divisions  and 
offences  contrary  to  the  doctrine  we  have  learned.  We 
think  our  brethren  have  gotten  into  the  habit  of  plac- 
ing too  great  stress  on  particular  points  of  doctrine, 
and  even  on  a  particular  mode  of  construing  them, 
and  are  determined  on  forcing  a  uniformity  of  faith 
by  associational  union. — If  so,  they  will  cause  divi- 
sions, and  not  union.  Union  between  christians,  is  like 
the  comnig  together  of  two  straight  edges,  it  readily 
forms  a  joint ;  or  it  is  like  the  going  up  of  the  tem- 
ple, where  no  tool  of  ii'on  was  necessary  to  bring  any 
thing   to   a  joint.     Force   will  never   make   a  union 


JESSE    MEllfER.  251 

among  christians  ;  hut  force  will  drive  tlicm  out  of 
joint.  Where  force  is  used,  therefore,  lo  keep  the 
unity  of  the  faith,  it  ^vill  always  cause  divisio?is  and 
offences,  contrary  to  the  doctrine  we  have  learned. 
When  will  our  brethren  learn  the  ^asy  way  of  keep- 
ing the  unity  of  the  faith  in  th'C  bond  of  peace  V^ 

In  the  following  extract,  Mr.  Mercer  glances  at  an 
evil  which  had  become  unhappily  prevalent  amongst 
some  of  his  ministering  brethren,  and  which  he  re- 
proves in  the  spirit  of  christian  kindness. 

"  Among  the  ministers  of  Christ,  there  is  a  diversity 
of  gifts,  and  of  course,  different  strains  of  preachin  cr. 
Some  are  set,  like  Paul,  for  the  defence  of  the  gos- 
pel, or  the  establishment  of  the  saints  in  faith  ;  others^ 
iike  James,  to  excite  christian  professors  to  every 
good  word  and  work.  In  this  strain  of  preachino^ 
there  may  be  an  appearance  of  heterodoxy  in  its  ten- 
dency, which  is  not  real.  And  still  more  so  in  the 
strain  of  the  evangelists,  who  are  sent  to  call  sinners 
to  repentance.  There  must  then  be  great  care  taken 
in  such  cases,  lest  the  oil  and  the  wine  he  hurt.  But 
should  it  be  satisfactorily  clear  that  the  ten<lency  is 
too  heterodox,  then  the  church  (or  rather  those  breth- 
ren who  notice  it  and  are  best  able  to  judge,)  should 
converse  freely,  and  admonish  such  an  one  tenderly 
and  faithfully;  and  if  this  does  not  remedy  the  evil, 
he  should  be  reproved  sharply  by  the  pastor  or  el- 
ders :  and  if  this  fails,  he  should  be  called  before  the 
church,  and  if  he  refuse  to  be  subject  to  the  church's 
counsel,  his  gift  must  be  taken  from  him,  and  if  he 
refuse  to  lay  it  down,  or  otherwise  carry  himself  dis- 
orderly and  incorrigibly,  he  must  be  excluded. 


252  MEMOIRS    Of 

"  We  take  this  occasion  to  state  our  conviction  that 
there  is  utterly  a  fault  among  the  rainisteTs  of  Christ ; 
that  is,  instead  of  each  one  pursuing  his  proper  call- 
ing, according  to  the  gift  he  has  received  of  the  Lord, 
and  all  laboring  in  different  parts  of  the  same  field 
together,  to  obtain  the  same'  greut  object,  they  too  of- 
ten fall  out  and  accuse  one  another  of  some  supposed 
error,  or  inconsistency  in  their  matter  or  manner  of  la- 
bor; each  one  at  the  same  time  sacrificing  so  far  to  his 
own  drag,  as  to  condemn  bis  fellow  servants  because 
they  do  not  labor  precisely  with  him.  Thus  the  higJi, 
predestinarians  accuse  the  loio  with  arminianism ;  and 
in  tLii'ii  the  low  accuse  the  high  with  antinomianism. 
Now  this  may  be  in  some  casers  trxte ;  and  proper 
6Lc-^)s  aliould  be  taken,  i7i  the  sj?irit  of  christian  meek-- 
ness,  to  remedy  it :  but  this  spirit  of  crimination  and 
recrimination  cannot  be  right.  Let  not  him,  therefore, 
that  preaches  the  covenant  and  all  things  ordered  im 
it  and  made  sure,  despise  him  that  preaches  that  men 
should  repent,  and  exhorts,  admonishes  and  beseeches 
them  to  turn  to  God  through  Christ;  nor  yet  him  that 
dwells  on  practical  godliness,  because  he  does  not 
preach  election  in  every  sermon ;  and  let  not  those 
despise  him  that  preaches  the  purposes  of  God  in  the 
salvation  of  his  chosen  people,  as  the  theme  of  his 
ministry,  for  God  may  have  accepted  them  all  in  their 
different  spheres  of  labor. 

"  We  most  affectionately  exhort  and  admonish  all 
our  brethren  in  the  ministry,  to  cease  to  look  on  each 
other  with  an  evil  eye,  and  to  speak  of  each  other 
with  harsh  words.  But  let  us  all  ratlier  take  the 
Apostle's  advice  in  Rom.  14  :  13.  in  view  of  the  most 
solemn  and  interesting  fact  that  every  one  of  us  shall 
give  account  of  himself  to  God,     '  Let  us  not  there- 


JESSE  MERrr.R.  523 

fore  judgY"  one  another  any  more  :  but  judge  this 
rather,  that  no  man  put  a  stumbling  block,  or  an  occa- 
sion to  fall,  in  his  brother's  way.'  " 

A  Circular  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Mercer,  and  pub- 
lished in  the  Convention  Minutes  of  1831,  has  a  direct 
bearing  upon  the  topics  embraced  in  the  present  chap- 
ter ;  and  it  contains  so  much  sound  and  valuable  in- 
struction, as  to  entitle  it  to  a  prominent  place  in  these 
biographical  sketches. 

**Men  and  Brethren, 

"  Having  obtained  help  of  God,  we  are  now  as- 
sembled, according  to  appointment,  and  for  the  time 
we  have  been  together,  have  had  much  pleasure  in 
aneeting  and  enjoying  each  other's  company,  harmony 
in  deliberation,  and  comfort  in  the  prospect  before 
us ;  though,  at  the  same  time,  mingled  with  son-ow, 
for  the  desolations  of  Zion  :  And,  therefore,  beg  leave 
to  address  you,  in  a  few  unvarnished  remarks,  on  the 
importance  of  a  ??io?-e  elevated  6t«.ndard  of  christian 
morality  among  the  churches  and  ministers  of  our  de- 
nomination. 

*-'  The  standard  of  christian  morals,  in  itself  consid- 
ered, is  THE  TRUTH,  as  it  is  in  Jesns  ;  and  is  incapa- 
ble of  either  elevation  or  depression :  but  in  our  pre- 
sent design,  it  means  the  public  estimation  and  prac- 
tical regard,  in  which  it  is  held  ;  and  will  be  higher 
or  loiver,  according  to  the  views  truth  obtains  in  the 
denomination ;  and  to  which  the  practice  of  the 
churches  will  conform,  and  will  be  elevated  or  de- 
pressed accordingly.  Just  as  water  seeks  its  own 
level,  or  as  the  conduct  of  a  community  accords  to 
nublic  opinion  ;  so  will  christians'  morals  be  influenced 


524  31  KM  OIKS    OF 

by  the  standard  of  piety  and  godliness,  as  held  sacred 
among  the  churches.  This  will  be  strikingly  illus- 
trated by  reference  to  the  one  only  jioint,  in  which, 
we  think,  this  standard  is  sufficiently  raised  among  us, 
that  is,  it  is  universally  agreed  that  immersion,  and 
nothing  but  immersion  is  baptism  ;  and  the  practice  is 
everywhere,  in  the  denomination,  G7ie  and  the  same — 
there  is  no  difference — ^no  dispute  about  it.  Now  if 
the  standard  was  equally  elevated  in  every  other 
point  of  faith  and  duty,,  the  churches  would  be  in  aD 
points,  in  the  same  practical  unity  and  peace;  and 
tending  fast  to  perfectness.  Just  as  rays  of  light  con- 
verge, as  they  approach  their  centre,  so  we,  in  follow- 
ing this  standard,  when  duly  elevated,  shall  approxi- 
mate each  other,  as  we  approach  the  truth,  as  it  is 
in  Jesus ;  and  losing  all  asperities  in  assimilations  to 
him,  who  is  the  truth  itself,  be  swallowed  up  in  light. 
But  as  rays  of  light,  flying  off  from  their  source,  di- 
verge as  they  fly,  till  they  lose  themselves  in  regions 
of  unbroken  darkness ;  so  vve,  in  pursuing  a  depress- 
ed standard  of  piety,  must  widen  and  separate — be- 
come less  and  less  ardent  in  christian  affections,  and 
losing;'  all  sense  of  vital  union,  mere:e  into  bitter  ani- 
mosities  and  destructive  feuds,  and,  lost  in  ourselves 
and  to  each  other,  be  disembogued  in  the  blackness 
of  that  darkness  which  is  reserved  unto  ivandering 
stars  for  ever.  That  ihe  standard  of  christian  morali- 
ty is  deplorably  low  among  the  ministei^  and  churches 
of  our  denomination,  is  too  obvious  to  be  concealed. 

**  beloved  friends  and  brethren^  to  bring  your  minds 
to  bear  on  this  lamentable  case,  pennit  us  to  ask  you 
a  few  plain  questions. 

"Are  there  not  many  professors  among  us,  whose 
spirit,  life,  and  conversation,  illy  become  the  gospel 


JF.RSE    MERCER,  2/55 

t)f  Christ — worldly  in  their  views,  and  mercenary  in 
all  they  do,  so,  that  if  they  \^  ore  not  seen  in  cluirch 
meeting,  or  at  the  Lord's  table,  they  could  not  be  told 
from  7nere  worldlings  ?  And  yet,  do  they  not  go  un- 
reproved  ? 

"  Are  there  not  many,  who,  to  the  entire  neglect  of 
all  family  religion,  seldom  attend  church  meeting,  and 
habitually  live  irreverently,  if  not  immorally  ?  And 
are  they  not  suffered  to  go  undisciplined  ] 

"  And  others  there  are,  who,  in  the  plainest  sense, 
are  drunkards. 

"  And  though  no  drunkard  hath  any  jplace  in  the 
kingdom  of  God  and  of  Christ,  yet  do  they  not  by 
some  means — by  feigned  repentance,  or  empty  and 
vain  resolves,  continue  from  youth  to  old  age  in  the 
church,  frequently,  if  not  habitually,  drunk  1  And 
are  there  not  many  such  cases  1 

**  And  more,  is  it  not  common,  that  mere  negative 
goodness  is  all  that  is  requisite  to  constitute  a  member 
in  good,  standing,  and  to  recommend  him,  as  such,  to 
a  sister  church  ? — But  does  not  the  parable  of  the  fig 
tree  reprove  this  practice  ?  since  the  tree  was  not 
threatened  to  be  cut  down  for  bearing  evil  fruit,  but 
because  it  bore  none  ! 

"  And  moreover,  is  there  not  evidently  a  want  of 
unioji  and  concert  among  both  ministers  and  churches 
of  our  denomination  ? 

*'  Have  not  instances  occurred  in  which  some 
churches  have  disciplined  their  members  for  what 
others  have  winked  at,  or  even  commended  in  theirs  % 
And  have  not  censured,  and  even  excluded  mem- 
bers of  some,  been  received  and  nurtured  by  other 
churches  ? 

"  And  have  not   ministers  gotten   into  htated  and 


256  MEMOIRS    OF 

hurtful  controversies  with  one  another — breathing  to- 
wards each  other  the  most  crude  asperities  and  cruel 
animosities  %  And  is  it  not  true,  that  one  has  preach- 
ed what  another,  in,  and  to  the  same  congregation, 
has  contradicted  and  exposed,  as  unsound  and  dan- 
gerous ;  by  which  questions  which  gender  strife^  have 
abounded  ?  And  has  not  all  this  passed  off  too,  without 
any  effort  to  correct  the  evil,  or  to  reconcile  these  in- 
considerate brethren  % 

"  Does  it  not  then,  brethren,  behoove  us  to  inquire, 
%citli  great  earnestness,  for  the  causes  of  these  afflic- 
tions ]  And  on  close  examination,  will  they  not  be 
found,  mostly,  if  not  altogether,  in  the  following  par- 
ticulars ] 

**  1.  In  a  want  of  carefulness  in  the  admission   of 
members. 

"  By  a  cursory  review  of  the  New  Testament 
churches,  it  will  be  readily  seen,  that  they  were  all 
constituted  of  believers  in  Christ  alone,  such  as  were 
called  to  be  saints — all  ol  one  heart  and  one  soul : — 
that  the  first  churches  were  patterns  for  all  others, 
which  should  be  built  up.  Hence  the  church  in  Thes- 
salonica  was  commended,  for  becoming  followers  of 
those  Avhich  were  in  Judea.  That  they  kept  a  close 
guard  at  the  door  of  admission,  whose  vigilance  the 
unworthy  and  designing  had  to  escape  and  creep  in 
unawares ;  but  they  soon  found  themselves  in  so  hot 
a  hed,  that  they  went  out  of  their  own  accord.  And 
such  would  have  been  the  effect  even  till  noiv,  if  the 
standard  had  been  kept  up  equally  high.  But  alas  ! 
even  in  the  apostles'  days,  the  mystery  of  iniquity 
was  at  work ;  and  the  standard  of  godly  practice  was 
soon  lowered,  so  that  men  of  corrupt  minds  and  loose 
morals  could  live  in  the  churches ;  and  they  were  cor* 


JESSE  MrnrrR.  257 

mptod  in  tlioir  pristine  simplicity,  unity  and  beauty, 
ihey  liad  in  Clirist,  and  became  the  subjects  of  severe 
rebukes,  and  were  even  threatened  with  extinction ! 

"Now  were  not  all  these  things  written  for  our  ad- 
monition, to  the  intent  that  we  should  be  carclul  to 
admit  into  the  churches  of  Christ,  none  hvt  such  as 
give  good  evidence  of  being  one  spirit  with  the  Lordy 
<Lnd  members  iii  j^cirticular  with  his  body? — lest  we 
should  incur  the  displeasure  they  incuiTed ;  and  that 
too  denounced  against  Israel,  (probably  the  c]  Jirches 
in  our  day  were  in  the  prophet's  eye,)  Ezek.  44:  6,  7. 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  ;  O  ye  house  of  Israel^  lu 
it  suffice  you  of  all  your  abomincitions  ;  in  that  ye  have 
hrought  into  my  sanctuary ,  strangers,  uncircumcised 
in  heart  and  uncircumcised  infiesh,  to  he  in  my  sanc- 
tuary, to  pollute  it,  even  my  house,  when  yc  offer  my 
bread,  the  fat  and  the  Mood  ;  and  tJiey  have  broken 
my  covenant,  because  of  all  your  abominations.  And. 
ye  have  not  kept  the  charge  of  my  holy  things.  This 
last  complaint  plainly  shows, 

"2.  The  want  of  a  close  and  goodly  discipline, 
**  Christ,  as  head  of  his  church,  has  constituted  the 
power  to  govern  in  the  body,  according  to  his  laws, 
for  edification,  and  not  destruction  ;  for  the  presers'a- 
tion  of  the  churches  in  purity,  unity,  and  peace.  But 
w^hen  discipline  is  neglected  or  loosely  executed,  the 
exact  opposite  state  of  things  must  ensue.  Conupt 
men,  suffered  or  tolerated  in  the  churches,  w^ill  seek 
their  own  level,  and  like  the  old  leaven,  will  corrode 
and  corrupt  the  whole  body,  and  tend  to  more  ungod- 
liness ;  till,  by  their  number  and  influence,  the  church, 
at  this  or  that  place,  may  become  a  inere  worldly 
sanctuary,  or  a  synagogue  of  Satan,     These  delete- 

12* 


2ffB  rviF.MOIRS    OF 

rious  effects,  it  is  believed,  will  be  found  to  grow  reny 
much  out  of, 

"  3.  An  inefficient  ministry. 

"  The  gospel  ministry,  in  all  its  grades,  was  given 
to,  and  constituted  in,  the  church,  to  bring  all  in  tli^. 
unity  of  ike  faith j  unto  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of 
Christ.  But  it  must  be  obvious  to  any  one,  that  such 
an  end  can  never  be  accomplished  by  a  weak,  conten- 
tious, and  divided  ministry.  Say  what  we  may  of  the 
church's  power  to  govern,  and  even  to  govern  her 
ministers;  and  yet  ?^  will  he  true,  that  ministers  give 
tojie  and  imjndse  to  public  feeling,  direction  and  ener- 
gy to  public  spirit,  and^ower  and  efficiency  to  public 
effort.  The  coiTuptions  and  errors  of  Israel  are 
charo-ed  on  her  prophets,  who,  refusing  to  speak  iJte 
word  of  the  Lord  faithfully,  saiu  vain  visions  of  peace, 
and  taught  out  of  the  imagination  of  their  evil  heart. 
And  the  divisions  and  offences,  which  rent,  with  fierce 
controversies,  the  churches  at  Antioch,  Corinth,  Ga- 
latia,  Cappadocia,  Bythinia,  and  Asia,  are  charged  to 
those  ministers  who  preached  doctrines  contraiy  to 
that  tauo-ht  by  the  apostles.  Against  these,  not  only 
foreic^n,  but  also  of  their  own  selves,  the  churches  were 
cautioned,  warned,  reproved,  and  even  threatened. 
And  shall  we  be  inattentive  to  these  things  ]  Similar 
causes  will  produce  similar  effects.  Therefore,  as  js 
the  ministry,  such  will  be  the  churches.  If  ministers 
are  inefficient,  the  churches  will  be  iceaJi  and  waver- 
in"' :  if  ministers  are  in  controversy  among  them- 
selves, the  churches  vv'ill  be  in  confusion  :  if  ministei-s 
break  asunder,  the  churches  v.ill  divide,  and  fall  into 
party  feuds.  And  are  not  these  tilings  sol  Have 
w^e  not,  brethren,  reason  to  take  the  apostolic  caution  : 


JESSE    MERCER.  259 

if  ye  bite  ayid  devour  one  another,  take  heed  that  ye  he 
Tiot  consumed  one  of  another  1  Surely,  in  the  jDlaintive 
strain  of  tlie  weeping  prophet,  we  should  inquire  : 
Is  there  no  halm  in  Gilead ;  is  there  no  physician 
there  ?  Why  then  is  not  the  health  of  the  daughter 
of  my  people  recovered  ?  Let  us  examine  prayerfully 
and  practically,  and  see  if  the  health  of  the  churches 
cannot  be  found  in, 

"  1.  A  more  careful  regard  to  an  elevated  standard 
of  faith  and  piety,  in  the  experience  and  character  of 
those  who  are  received  to  membership  among  us. 

"  Ail  bodies  derive  their  qualities  from  the  ele- 
ments of  which  they  are  composed.  No  church, 
therefore,  can  be  more  righteous  and  holy,  than  the 
members  individxially  are.  Then  if  the  church  is  the 
beauty  of  holiness,  the  members  must  be  beautified 
ivith  salvation.  If  the  church  is  one  body,  each  mem- 
ber must  have  one  heart  and  one  soul.  If  the  church 
is  the  Lord  our  righteousness,  the  members  must  all 
be  one  spirit  icith  the  Lord.  And  if  the  church  is  the 
light  of  the  world,  and  the  joy  of  the  icliole  earth, 
each  member  must  be  light  in  the  Lord,  and  glow 
ivith  a  sacred  px^^^^on  to  make  him  known  to  the  ends 
of  the  earth. 

"  When  due  care  is  had  that  the  members  of  the 
churches  are  all  righteous ;  and  discipline  is  every- 
where duly  executed  in  the  right  spirit,  then  the  stan- 
dard of  holiness  to  the  Lord  will  be  elevated,  and 
true  godliness  promoted,  till  a  state  of  efficient,  prac- 
tical piety  will  exhibit  the  churches  as  a  company  of 
horses  in  Pharaoh^ s  chariots  ;  and  terrible  as  an  army 
ivith  banners.  But  to  effectuate  this,  we  believe  will 
require, 

"2.   A  more  careful    attention  to   the  qualifirations 


260  MEMoms  OP 

and  faithfulness  of  those  who  are  prefeiTed  among  us 

to  the  gospel  ministry. 

"  Nothing  can  be  more  certain,  than  if  the  churches 

are  ever  raised  to  be  holiness  unto  the  Lord,  the  abiUty 
and  fideUty  requisite,  must  be  sought  for  in  the  con- 
stitution of  ministers. — And  wherever  this  is  neglect- 
ed, the  consequences  must  be  most  deleterious  to  the 
purity,  unity  and  peace  of  the  churches.     Let  none 
say,   '  God  will   qualify  his  ministers — he    will   give 
them  7nattcr  and  form.^     This,  we  fear,  is  the  very 
spirit  that  ruined  Israel ;    they  cried  peace,   ^>'f<7ce  / 
when  tJicre  ivas  no  ^;ertce  I     Something  must  be  jprac' 
tically  and  ejficiently  done  to  remedy  the  evils  among 
us.     It  is  now  generally  conceded,  that  both  miracle 
and  the  inspiration  of  the  ti  uth,  ceased  with  the  Apos- 
tles.    If  so,  ministers  now  have  no  just  dependence 
on  inspiration  for  what  they  preach  :  only  as  they  are 
instructed  to  understand  the  truth,  from  the  inspired 
scriptures.     This  shows  the  importance  of  education, 
which  seems  to  be   the  scrij^ture  plan.     Those  sent 
out   by  the  Apostles    incurred    blame,   in    that   they 
taught  what   they    were    not   commanded;    proving 

.  plainly  enough,  that  they  were  authorized  to  preach 
nothing  but  what  they  were  taught. — Thus  Paul  in- 
structed Timothy  and  Titus  to  preach  and  teach  the 
things  (not  with  which  they  were  inspired,  but  those) 
they  liad,  heard  and  learned  of  him  ;  and  to  commit 
them  to  those  men  only  ivho  were  ahle  and  faithful  to 
teach  others  also,  as  they  had  been  taught.  And 
Christ  lays  down  the  same  rule  in  Matt.  13  :  52.  Ev- 
ery scrihe  instructed  (not  inspired)  into  the  hingdom  of 
heaven,  (or  the  gospel  of  Christ,)  is  like  unto  a  house- 
holder, who  hringeth  out  of  his  treasures  things  new 
and  old. 


JKSSR    MEUCEU.  2Gl 

"  AikI  surely,  it  is  just  as  senseless  to  send  out  a 
man  to  preach  the  gospel  whicli  ho  had  never  been 
taug^ht,   with   any  expectation  of  his  teaching  it   cor- 
rectly, as  it  would  be  to  employ  a  man  to  teach  all 
the  branches  of  a  refined  education,  who  had  never 
studied  their  elementary  princiijles. — But  it  may  be 
asked — does  not   God  do  more  for  the  one  than   for 
the  other  ]     Yes,  blessed  bo  his  name  !  he  does. — He 
gives  to  the  man  he  calls  into  the  ministry,  his  holy 
Spirit  to  impress  and  lead  his  mind  to  the  work,  to 
elevate   and  open  his  understanding  in  the   study  of 
the   scriptures,   to   know   and  receive  the   truth,  and 
aptness  to  impart  it  to  others.     And  to  secure  J(iith- 
f Illness  in  the  discharge  of  the   duties  of  this  highly 
responsible  office,  he  gives,  not  only  the  spirit  of  fear  y 
hut  of  power y  and  of  love,  and  of  a  sound  mind.     But 
that  man  might  as  well  be  expected  to  know  and  ex- 
plain all  the  beauties  of  nature,  whose  eyes  had  never 
been  opened  on  its  volume,  as  for  a  minister  to  preach 
the  tnith  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  who  neither  knows  nor  stu- 
dies the  scriptures.     Nor  can  he  else   preserve  the 
ministry  from  hlame  hy  knowledge,  or  shoiv  himself 
approved  unto  God,  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  he 
ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth. 

"  Besides,  the  results  to  be  had  by  the  gospel  min- 
istry, are  such  as  can  never  be  attained,  unless  purity 
in  knowledge,  unity  in  design  and  purpose,  and  fidel- 
ity in  practice  be  first  found  in  the  ministers.  They 
must  be  taught  all  to  speak  the  same  things;  they 
must  become  sensible  to  mutual  obligations,  and  the 
importance  of  unity  in  effort.  And  when  ministers, 
of  every  degree,  shall  be  found  in  unity,  all  2vorkers 
together  with  the  Lord,  all  pulling  at  once,  and  the 
same  way;    none  too    selfish   to   receive   help — too 


262  MEMOIRS    OF 

proud  to  be  taught — too  wise  to  leam — too  indepen- 
dent to  submit — nor  too  gi'eat  to  be  least;  but  all 
studying  to  he  frcparcd  to  do  the  work  of  the  Lord — 
meditating  diligently  on  tlie  things  taught  in  his  word 
— and  wJiolly  giving  themselves  to  them,  that  their 
profiting  (not  their  greatness)  muy  appear  to  all ; 
then  the  standard  of  christian  morality  will  be  ele- 
vated, and  the  churches  will  all  fall  into  re  ovular  ranks 
under  its  flying  baimers ;  and  *  onward''  shall  be  heard 
from  every  camp  of  our  Israel,  till  they  all  come,  in 
the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  of  the  hnoicledge  of  the 
Son  of  God,   unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure 

OP  THE  STATURE  OF  THE  FULNESS  OF  ChRIST. 

"'  Pastors  and  churches  then, 
All  with  united  ken, 

Wrap'd  in  seraphic  flame, 
God  and  the  Lamb  to  praise, 
Shall  shout  through  endless  day?. 
The  long — the  loud  amen.' 

^*  Jesse  Mercer,  Moderator y 

In  consideration  of  the  important  service  rendered 
by  Mr.  Mercer  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  by  his  able  ex- 
position from  time  to  time  of  the  principles  of  gospel 
discipline,  a  silver  medal,  containing  appropriate  in- 
scriptions, was  presented  him  by  some  of  his  breth- 
ren in  1836.  Subjoined,  is  an  extract  from  the  letter 
which  accompanied  the  medal. 

"  Talbotton,  May  1,  183G. 
"BiiOTHER  Mercer, 

"  Inclosed,  is  a  small  medal  which  has  been  com- 
mitted to  my  care  for  you.  It  was  prepared  by  the 
direction  of  brethren  in  the  Central  Association,  and 


JESSE    MERCER.  263 

sent  by  tliem  aa  a  token  of  their  regard  for  you. 
Though  tlie  medal  is  marked  as  from  *the  C.  A.  &:c.,' 
it  is  truly  from  certain  brethren  of  that  body,  as  stated 
above,  and  not  from  the  body  itself.  We  hope  you 
will  accept  it  with  this  explanation,  and  receive  it  in 
the  same  spirit  o{  friendship  which  prompted  us  to 
offer  it. 

*        *       *        #       * 

"  Yours  truly, 

"  J.  H.  Campbell." 

The  discussions  wliich  were  carried  on  for  several 
years,  through  the  columns  of  the  Index,  and  other 
channels,  and  in  which  the  subject  of  this  memoir 
took  a  distingiiished  part,  tended  greatly  to  settle  the 
churches  in  correct  views  of  many  important  princi- 
ples, and  particularly  those  relating  to  church  and  as- 
sociational  powers  ;  still  it  was  evident  that  some- 
thing farther  was  necessary  to  remove  deep-seated 
prejudices,  soften  down  excited  feelings,  and  bring 
the  scattered  ranks  of  the  brethren  into  useful  and 
affectionate  co-operation.  From  time  to  time,  sug- 
gestions were  made  in  favor  of  a  creneral  ministei"s' 
meeting,  in  hope  that  by  the  united  prayers  and  coun- 
sels of  such  an  assembly,  some  effectual  balm  mi  "-lit 
be  found  for  Zion's  bleeding  wounds.  For  a  while, 
these  recommendations  received  but  little  attention ; 
])ut  at  length,  they  were  revived  and  urged  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  secure  a  respectable  meeting  of  minis- 
ters at  the  village  of  Forsyth,  in  July,  1836.  Mr. 
Mercer's  feelinsrs  were  much  enlisted  in  the  meeting" ; 
he  brought  to  it  the  ynimpaired  strength  of  his  great 
mind,  the  aid  of  his  golden  counsels,  and  the  unction 
of  a   sweet  and  heavenly  temper.     If  any   good  re- 


SC4  MEMOIRS    O^ 

siiltetl  from  that  meeting,  (and  that  its  influence  Tias 
been  sahatary  and  lasting,  no  reasonable  doubt  can  be 
entertained,)  much  of  it  may  justly  be  ascribed  to  the 
prudent  zeal  and  matured  wisdom  of  INIr,  Mercer. 
Thousfh  the  attendance  was  not  as  full  as  could  have 
been  desired,  and  some  little  incidents  occurred  dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  meeting,  not  altogether  the 
most  agreeable,  yet  on  the  whole,  it  was  a  memoi-a- 
ble  occasion.  There  was  a  free  and  profitable  inter- 
change of  views  upon  many  important  subjects  ;  the 
mingled  tears  of  penitence  and  christian  affection 
were  seen  to  flow ;  mutual  acknowledgments  were 
made  by  many,  and  mutual  forgiveness  sought  and 
extended ;  and  many  fervent  prayers  ascended  to  the 
God  of  Israel,  that  the  hurt  of  the  daughter  of  his 
people  might  be  healed.  "  It  was  a  sight  on  which 
angels  could  not  but  look  with  peculiar  delight,  to 
see  those,  who,  for  years,  liad  been  cold  and  distant, 
who  had  thought  and  spoken  hard  things  against  their 
brethren,  and  even  cast  out  their  names  as  evil,  ac- 
knowledo-ing;-  their  errors  with  tears,  and  berrying: 
pardon.  The  readiness  with  which  it  was  granted, 
melted  all  in  the  house.  Every  eye  was  wet,  and 
every  heart  full.  The  feelings  of  that  hour  more 
than  compensated  for  all  the  toils  and  difficulties  of 
attending  the  meeting.  All  seemed  to  feel,  '  I'm  glad 
I  come."*  From  that  time,  the  work  of  conciliation 
has  been  steadily  and  successfully  progTessing ;  min- 
isters, and  churches,  and  associations,  have  gradually 
flowed  into  pleasant  correspondence  and  fellowship ; 
so  that  at  the  present,  with  the  exception  of  our  anti- 
missionary  brethren,  and  a  comparatively  small  num- 

*  An  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Forsvth  mceiinff. 


JESSE    MERCER.  2G5 

her  of  cliurclies  who  lean  to  free-will  sentiments,  the 
Baptists  of  Cxeorgia  present,  in  a  highly  encouraging 
degi'ee,  the  aspect  of  a  harmonious  and  united  people. 

Several  other  ministers'  meetings  were  held  from 
time  to  time,  attended  with  consequences  more  oi  less 
beneficial ;  and  in  which  the  aid  of  Mr.  Mercer  was 
still  conspicuous.  He  was  much  in  favor  of  a  per- 
manent organization,  which  should  imbody,  as  far  as 
possible,  the  Baptist  ministers  of  the  state,  and  bring 
them  regularly  together  for  the  purpose  of  pious  con- 
sultation and  frateiTial  intercourse.  He  was  well  con- 
vinced, and  upon  the  most  conclusive  grounds,  that 
the  strife  of  the  churches  had  originated  mainly  in 
the  contentions  of  ministers,  and  that  no  better  ex- 
pedient could  be  devised  to  draw  together  the  scat- 
tered flock,  than  to  secure  unanimity  of  feeling,  sen- 
timent and  action  amongst  the  shepherds  of  the  flock. 
A  State  Ministers'  Meeting  was  organized  at  Eaton- 
ton,  in  October,  1838;  but  it  was  found  exceedingly 
difiicult  to  secure  a  general  attendance  at  any  of  its 
subsequent  sessions,  and  in  two  or  three  years,  it  lan- 
guished into  non  existence. 

In  accordance  with  a  previous  appointment,  Mr. 
Mercer  preached  a  discourse  at  Eatonton,  at  the  time 
above  specified,  on  "  the  importance  of  union  amongst 
ministers  of  the  gospel ;"  and  at  the  particular  re- 
quest of  the  meeting  before  whom  it  was  delivered, 
it  was  afterwards  published.  The  sermon  is  founded 
on  John  17  :  11.  "Holy  Father,  keep  through  thine 
own  name,  those  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  that  they 
may  be  one  as  we  are  one."  It  abounds  in  rich  and 
original  thouc:ht,  and  forcibly  illustrates  the  nature  of 
that  union  which  should  exist  amonG:st  ministers,  and 
the  great  importance  of  maintaining  it  in  full  and 


266  MEMOIRS    OF 

constant  vigor.     A   few  of  the  concluding  pages  are 
here  subjoined. 

"  To  conclude, — If  the  position  taken  at  first,  name- 
ly, that  tninisters  form  a  distinct  class  in  the  church 
of  Chi'ist,  with  separate  and  j^cculiar  obligations  and 
duties,  has  been  established  ;  and  the  nature  and  ex- 
tent of  their  unity  have  been  correctly  defined,  as 
suggested  in  the  text,  then  it  must  be  obvious  to  the 
slightest  review,  that  the  manner  of  rearing  up  minis- 
ters, and  of  the  general  course  of  the  ministry  in  our 
denomination,  in  Georgia  at  least,  has  been  very  de- 
fective. Theirs  has  been,  for  the  most  part,  an  iso- 
lated and  individual  course,  thrown  entirely  on  per- 
sonal, or  at  most,  on  ecclesiastical  responsibility.  This 
defected  state  of  things  among  us,  I  will  attempt  to  il- 
lustrate by  the  following  similes.     And 

'*  1.  A  king  stations  a  garrison  well  officered  and 
defended,  in  the  midst  of  a  revolted  colony,  in  order 
to  redeem  and  bring  back  by  kindness,  his  rebellious 
subjects  to  loyal  submission.  He  commits  to  these 
officers  the  terms  of  peace,  and  gives  them  authority 
to  establish  new  garrisons,  and  commission  other  offi- 
cers, as  the  case  might  require.  These  officers  pro- 
ceed on  their  mission,  with  due  deference  to  the  hon- 
or of  their  sovereign ;  and  many  of  the  colonists  re- 
turn to  their  allegiance ;  and  new  gam  sons  are  set- 
tled, and  officers  are  commissioned.  All  things  for  a 
while,  went  on  very  well.  In  appointing  to  office, 
they  were  careful  to  select  such  men  as  gave  full  evi- 
dence of  a  sound  reformation,  and  a  just  regard  for 
the  laws,  government,  and  honor  of  the  king ;  and 
who  possessed  such  abilities  and  dispositions  as  fitted 
them   for  the   execution  of  the  duties  of  their  office. 


JESSE  MERcnn,  2G7 

and  an  li(>nonil)le  association  witli  ihoinsolvos  in  sus- 
taining the  government,  peace  and  happiness  of  the 
reahn.  But  in  process  of  time,  the  officers  who  were 
in  those  days,  became  careless  in  this  department  of 
their  duty,  and  commissioned  any  who  were  present- 
ed to  them  by  tlie  garrisons,  who,  in  like  manner,  had 
become  indiflerent,  witli  Uttle  regard  to  their  qualifi- 
cations for  office,  or  their  attachments  to  the  ffovern- 
ment  and  honor  of  the  king.  So  the  garrisons  were 
satisfied,  all  was  ?^c//,  throwing  the  whole  responsi- 
bility on  the  incumbents  and  the  gamsons. — Thus  the 
officers  soon  became  vain,  self^conceited  and  proud. 
Strife  was  engendered  among  themselves  and  the  gar- 
risons ;  and  the  garrisons  soon  enlisted  for  their  re- 
spective partizans;  and  so  the  whole  colony  was 
filled  with  interaal  broil  and  confusion.  How  pic- 
turesque of  the  present  state  of  things  among  us ! 

"  Have  not  many  Presbyteries  ordained  men  to  the 
gospel  ministry,  purely  on  their  own  and  the  respon- 
sibility of  the  churches  to  which  they  belonged,  with 
very  little,  if  any  inquiry  into  their  qualifications  for 
the  sacred  office  ;  or  the  obligations  they  felt  for  the 
honor  of  God,  or  the  ministry  into  which  they  were 
being  put  ]     And 

**  2.  I  ask,  if  our  ministiy  do  not  present  a  likeness 
to  a  drove  of  pack-horses  on  an  Indian  trail,  each  go- 
ing in  his  own  chosen  jpath^  rather  than  a  well  har- 
nessed and  orderly  team,  moving  in  concert? 

"  Permit  me  here  to  state  some  of  my  own  reflec- 
tions :  I  was  much  impressed  at  the  Ministers'  Meet- 
ing last  summer,  at  Harmony,  and  still  am,  with  one 
feature  of  Israel's  backslidden  state,  as  alleged  by 
Isaiah  53  :  6.  '  All  we,  like  sheep,  have  gone  astray  ; 
we  have  turned  crci-ijonc  to  his  own  way.''    If  thought 


268  MEMOIRS    OF 

T,  being  turned  every  one  to  his  own  way,  was  descrip- 
tive of  a  revolted  state  in  Israel,  what  must  be  now 
the  state  of  the  ministry  in  our  denomination  in  Geor- 
gia %  May  it  not  be  said  with  great  propriety,  that 
we  have  turned  every  one  to  his  ov:n  way  ?  Have  we 
not  lost  all  union  of  effort  %  Our  brethren  cannot  be 
prevailed  on  to  come  together  for  ministerial  consul- 
tation and  co-operation,  even  in  these  days  of  Zion's 
afflictions.  And  why  1  even  because  they  are  turned, 
every  one  to  his  own  icay  ! — Each  one  has  his  own  ap- 
pointments to  fill,  and  his  church-meetings  must  be 
attended ;  and  so  he  camiot  go  to  a  ministers'  meet- 
ing. But  let  me  ask  each  brother,  in  brotherly  kind- 
ness, and  let  him  answer  in  the  spirit  of  candor :  if 
his  secular  business  pressed  him  to  go  to  market, 
would  he  not  leave  all  and  go  %  And  if  he  had  rela- 
tives at  a  distance,  or  in  another  state,  and  he  felt  a 
strong  inclination  to  visit  them,  would  he  not  leave  all 
and  go  ]  And  even  if  he  took  it  into  his  head  to  go 
a  land  hunting,  (perhaps  on  speculation,)  would  not 
some  of  you  leave  all  and  go  ]  But  you  cannot  be 
persuaded  to  leave  all,  and  attend  a  Ministers'  Meet- 
ing, for  mutual  consultation,  with  a  view  to  united, 
concentrated  and  vigorous  effort  to  stop  discord,  and 
produce  peace  in  the  churches. 

"  I  am  fully  impressed  with  the  sentiment,  that  all 
the  strife  and  confusion  which  now  abound  among 
our  ministers  and  churches,  may  be  traced  to  the  want 
of  a  well  organized  ministerial  union.  Or,  in  other 
words,  if  all  the  ministers  of  our  order  in  the  state, 
had,  at  once,  formed  a  Ministers'  Meeting,  with  a  view 
to  maintain  the  unity  of  the  faith  in  the  churches  ; 
and  had  co-operated  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  all 
those  distracting  controversies,  which  have  broken  the 


JESbE    MEKCEft.  26^ 

j)eace  and  spoiled  the  beauty  of  our  churches,  would 
have  been  prevented,  and  the  churches  conthiued  in 
peace  and  love. 

"  Let  me  then  beseech  you,  brethren,  now  though 
very  late,  to  rally  around  the  standard  of"  your  Lord 
and  Master.  There  may  be  yet  a  redeeming  spirit 
in  the  divine  ordcr^  if  speedily  adopted,  by  which  the 
plague  may  be  stayed,  and  many  be  recovered  fron> 
its  pernicious  and  deadly  influence.  What  Can  be 
better  suited,  instrumentally,  to  arrest  and  redress  the 
evils  which  are  now  rending  the  churches,  than  the 
combined  union  and  co-operation  of  all  the  ministers 
in  the  state  %  Let  all  the  ministers  who  are  of  one 
heart  and  one  soul,  not  only  in  the  great  scheme  of  sal- 
vation by  grace  alone,  but  in  the  points  of  practice 
now  in  question,  come  together  with  one  consent,  and 
let  their  light  shine  in  unison ;  let  them  bring  their 
tmited  efforts  to  bear  on  the  cause,  and  by  every  con- 
sideration which  the  laws  of  truth  and  brotherly  kind- 
ness can  urge,  endeavor  to  persuade  and  convince, 
and  bring  back  their  brethren  to  reconciliation,  peace, 
and  love  :  and  surely  it  may  be  hoped  in  the  Lord, 
that  many  will  pause  and  consider,  and  return  to  good 
order,  and  seek  that  fellowship  again,  which  they  had 
so  wantonly  thrown  away. 

"  I  am  aware  of  the  difficulties  which  lie  in  the  way 
of  bringing  about  this  practical  union  and  co-opera- 
lion  of  the  Ministers  in  the  Churches,  because  our 
young  ministers  have  mainly  had  the  rearing  of  them- 
selves in  the  Churches,  as  circumstances  provided  ; 
(for  really  the  churches  have  taken  but  little  care 
upon  themselves  about  it)  and  they  have  been  so  long 
accustomed  to  direct  their  own  course,  according  to 
their  own  counsel,  that  it  will  be  hard  to  bring  thera 


270  MEMOIRS    OF 

to  submit  to  the  discipline  of  a  Ministerial  Union,  arid 
to  act  only  in  harmony  with  the  body  of  Ministers. 
For  many  ministers,  especially  young  ones,  seem  to 
have  a  peculiar  fondness  for  a  solitary  course.  They 
are  seldom  seen  at  a  General  Meeting;  or,  where 
they  will  be  brought  in  contact  with  older  Ministers. 
I  suppose  they  Jeel  best  and  7nost  free  v/hen  they  are 
alone,  or  only  in  company  with  those  whom  they 
consider  their  inferiors ;  but  surely,  it  is  contrary  to 
the  plan  of  our  Lord,  as  well  as  to  the  dictates  of 
wisdom  and  common  sense,  and  well  calculated  to 
gender  strife  and  create  jealousies  and  parties, 
and  so  to  bring  up  divisions  among  Ministers  and 
Churches. 

*'  There  is  another  evil  to  overcome.  It  is  this : — 
The  Churches  love  t-o  have  it  so.  On  the  one  hand, 
it  frees  them  from  much  labor  and  care,  in  bringing 
forward  their  licentiates  into  the  ministry ;  and  on  the 
other,  it  gives  them  the  privilege,  nay,  the  right  to 
control  the  labors  of  their  ministers,  which  they  will 
be  reluctant  to  abridge  in  the  least,  even  so  as  to  give 
them  the  opportunity  to  attend  a  Ministers'  Meeting. 
*Tis  true.  Ministers  are  members  in  the  churches,  and 
amenable  to  their  authority,  so  far  as  discipline  and 
good  order  is  concerned  ;  but  they  should  think  this 
again,  that  Ministers  were  not  given  merely  for  their 
internal  benefit;  hut,  for  the  worh  of  the  Ministnj, 
and  the  up-building  of  the  ichole  body  of  Christ,  and 
that  any  use  they  may  make  of  them  which  will  de- 
tract from  this  is  wrong,  and  derogatory  to  the  claims 
of  their  Lord.  Although  it  may  seem  comfortable  to 
retain  ministers  at  home,  when  there  seems  to  be  so 
much  need  of  them,  yet  if  hindering  them  from  at- 
tending Ministers'  Meetings,  should  be  promotive  of 


JESSE    MERCER.  271 

discoid  cimoiic:  Ministers  and  Churches,  will  not  the 
evil  be  justly  chargeable  on  the  hindering  causes'? 

"  Will  not  Ministers  and  Churches  wake  up  to  the 
important  work  which  lies  on  them — the  work  of  the 
Ministry  ?  And  what  is  it  ]  But  the  whole  work 
which  God  has  deteraiined  should  be  instrumentally 
done,  to  the  ends  of  the  icorld — and  which  cannot  be 
accomplished, 

"  'Till  all  the  ransom'd  Ciiurch  of  God, 
Be  sav'd,  to  sin  no  more' 

**  In  the  accomplishment  of  this  sacred  design,  the 
Father  and  the  Son  are  at  work  ;  and  all  ministers, 
as  laborers  together  with  them,  are  called  upon  to  be 
up  and  doing  the  work  of  the  day,  because  the  night 
Cometh  wherein  no  man  can  work.  Let  us  then, 
Brethren,  arise  ;  be  united  in  one ;  and  be  ready  for 
every  good  word  and  work.  And  may  the  Lord  our 
God  be  wdth  us,  and  bless  us,  who  is  our  only  joy  and 
strength  ;  and  to  his  name  be  all  the  glory,  for  ever 
and  ever.     Amen." 

The  three  following  letters  were  addressed  to  a 
worthy  ministering  brother,  whose  mind  had  been 
much  pei*plexed  upon  certain  doctrinal  points,  and 
who  had  been  seriously  involved  in  some  of  the  diffi- 
culties which  had  so  long  disturbed  the  peace  of  the 
churches. 

Washington,  Sept.  26,  183G. 
"  Dear  Brother  B. 

"  I  have  had  it  in  mind  to  write  you  a  few  lines 
ever  since  we  parted  at  F,  I  was  afflicted  at  that 
meeting  by  the  spirit  manifested  by  some   brethren 


2lf2  MEMOIRS    OF 

towards  those  of  the  N.  Association  ;  and  pleased 
at  the  more  Christian  temper  of  those  brethren.  I 
liope  they  will  not  be  disposed  not  to  attend  the  next 
by  reason  of  such  treatment  Though  you  differ  from 
most  of  the  brethren  in  regard  to  faith  in  some  parti- 
cular points,  I  am  not  prepared  to  believe  you  so  far 
gone  as  to  be  irreclaimable. 

"  As  well  as  I  recollect,  the  article  on  Election,  iii 
the  system  adopted  by  your  Association,  holds  elec- 
tion through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit^  &c.  This  I 
think  is  an  eiTor.  If  you  will  examine  2  Thes.  2  :  13. 
and  1  Peter  1  :  2.  you  will  find  that  Election  is  unto 
salvation  and  obedience,  which  salvation  and  obedience 
are  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit,  &:c.  But  what 
is  worse,  the  Association  sermon,  j^ublished  by  re- 
quest, is  an  effort  to  set  aside  j^crsonal  election.  Now 
if  election  is  not  of  persons,  but  a  character,  then  I 
cannot  see  how  any  one  could  be  saved  by  it ;  be- 
cause God  could  not  choose  an  unholy  character,  and 
no  sinner  could  get  into  [a  holy]  one,  and  therefore 
could  not  be  saved  by  it.  By  examination,  you  will 
see  election  (and  its  kindred  doctrine,  predestination) 
always  holds  an  end  in  view.  That  end  is  to  he  holy 
— 'to  he  conformed  to  the  image  of  Christ — to  he  saved 
— ohcdicnce — adoption^  &c.  Now  without  contradic- 
tion the  act  must  be  before  the  end  proposed  by  that 
act ;  or  the  design  must  follow  the  purpose  ;  so  that 
election  must  be  anterior  to  our  conversion  to  God. 
And  you  can  but  see  that  the  end  or  design  of  an  act, 
cannot  be  the  condition  of  that  act.  But  I  need  not 
argue  the  case  with  you.  I  only  wish  you  to  consider 
the  Scripture  in  its  ov/n  light,  and  strive  to  bring  your 
mind  to  a  willingmess  to  receive  the  doctrine  taus^ht 
therein  without  the  rule  of  your  own  reason. 


JES«E     MEIICEK,  273 

**  Surely  the  truth  of  the  Scripture,  as  it  is  in  JesuSy 
is  plain  enough  to  enable  those  who  are  under  the 
influence  and  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  so  far  to 
agree,  as  that  they  may  walk  together  in  holy  fellow- 
ship. It  is  always  at  least  worth  the  effort  to  attain. 
And  now  it  seems  that  those  more  antinoinian  are 
determined  to  break  off  on  the  score  of  missions,  &c. 
It  is  then  the  more  imj)ortant  that  those  united  in  the 
benevolent  operations  should  strive,  and  strive  hard, 
to  be  of  one  mind  in  all  other  essential  tmth,  that 
they  may  labor  together  in  the  great  cause  of  God 
and  Christ,  and  human  happiness. 

"  I  am  informed  that  many  churches  have  determin- 
ed, and  declared  non-fellowship  with  all  benevolent 
societies ;  that  Br.  M.  has  taken  sides,  and  aided  if 
not  induced  the  O.  Association  to  so  declare.  This 
measure  will  divide  and  tear  to  pieces  their  own 
ranks  !  I  hoj^e  this  very  thing  will  be  the  means  of 
opening  the  eyes  of  many  who  have  heretofore  been 
blinded  by  the  cry  of  *  faith  !  faith  !' 
#       #       *        *       * 

"Now  brother,  do  lay  aside  every  stumbling  block, 
and  come  up  to  the  meeting  at  C. ;  influence  as  many 
of  your  brethren  in  the  ministry  to  come  as  you  can, 
and  come  in  hope  of  better  treatment ;  or  if  you 
should  meet  worse,  to  bear  it  as  good  soldiers  of 
.Tesus  Christ.     Come  any  how. 

*'  I  have  written  to  Br.   S.  and  entreated  him   to 
come.     I  long  after  you  all  in  the  Gospel. 
"  I  am,  dear  brother, 

'Yours  in  Christ, 

"  Jesse  Mercer." 


13 


274  MEMOIRS    OF 

"  Washington,  June  28,  1838. 
"Dear  Brother  B. 

"  Your  very  kind  and  affectionate  letter  of  18th 
inst.  was  received  and  read  a  day  or  two  since,  with 
great  interest.  This  was  because,  ^rsf,  I  love  you, 
and  secondly,  because  I  find  you  in  perplexity,  and 
know  not  what  to  do.  And  now,  my  dear  brother, 
what  shall  I  say  to  you  1  You  are  not  satisfied  with 
the  U.  Association ;  well,  I  fear  they  are  gone  too  far 
in  opposition  to  the  truth,  as  well  as  become  negligent 
and  careless  as  to  measures  necessary  to   a  return  of 

peace.     The brethren  who  remain,  are  different 

from  what  they  were,  but  I  fear  they  (many  of  them) 
are  not  over  half  converted.  Your  best  resort  is  to 
fall  in  with  the  C.  brethren,  as  I  judge.  But  there,  a 
difficulty  at  once  meets  you.  You  would  have  to 
come  up  square-toed  to  all  their  articles  of  faith  *  with- 
out note  or  comment.'  You  say,  though  you  cannot 
go  the  full  length  of  their  faith,  yet  you  feel  no  dis- 
position to  opjiose,  and  their  preaching  is  as  yovr  own. 
Perhaps  you  would  (should  you  try  it)  not  find  so 
much  difficulty  as  you  fear.  For  my  own  part,  I 
never  was  of  the  opinion,  that  a  single  point  or  article 
of  faith  should  be  made  a  test  of  fellowship.  Opiwsi- 
tion  to  any  point  would  break  fellowship ;  but  so 
long  as  a  good  brother  would  admit,  though  he  could 
not  understand  a  doctrine  in  a  particular  way,  I  should 
be  in  favor  of  holding  him  in  fellowship. 

"  You  seem  to  think  there  is  a  discrepance  between 
the  holding  and  the  preaching  of  the  Central  breth- 
ren. There  may  be  in  some.  But  you  [know  that] 
many  hold  jpredest'ination^  sovereign  and  eternal,  con- 
sistent with  man's  free  agency,  and  entire  accounta- 


JESSE    MEIICEII.  275 

bility.  There  is  a  state  of  things,  as  they  lie  before 
God,  which  is  as  determinate  and  as  unchangeable  as 
God  himself;  and  there  is  another  state  of  things, 
which  lie  in  the  department  of  the  divine  administra- 
tion, and  in  which  the  dispensation  of  the  Gospel 
proceeds,  and  in  which  men  are  treated  as  rational 
and  intelligent  beings.  Now,  though  we  may  not  be 
able  to  decipher  and  explain  the  line  which  sej^arates 
these  two  states  of  things,  we  may  find  evidence 
sufficient  of  their  existence,  and  should  yield  to  the 

conviction  of  their  truth. 

#       *       *       *       # 

*'  Dear  Brother,  I  have  written  you  a  few  crude 
thoughts.  I  fear  they  will  do  you  no  good  ;  but  I 
pray  to  God  he  will  direct  you  in  the  true  and  the 
right  way.  Although  I  think  you  would  do  ivell^ 
perhaps  best,  to  unite  with  the  Central  brethren,  yet 
do  all  you  do  in  the  fear  of  God,  which  is  the  begin- 
ning of  wisdom.  If  I  can  be  of  any  use  to  you,  it 
will  afford  me  pleasure  at  all  times  to  do  you  service. 
**  I  am  yours  in  Christ, 

"  Jesse  Mercer." 

*'  IVushingion,   Nov.  14,  1S38. 
"  My  Dear  Brother  and  longed  for, 

'*  I  received  your  very  interesting  letter  of  29th 
ult.  and  have  let  it  lie  by,  thinking  that  I  should 
write.  Tmly  I  desire  peace  and  righteousness  to 
abound  amongst  all  God's  people  ;  but  I  find  it  much 
easier  to  sunder,  and  keep  at  a  distance,  than  to  come 
together  when  once  parted.  Asperities  and  bitter- 
ness arise,  and  an  indifference  even  to  be  united ;  or 
alienation  of  even  Christian  affections  springs  up  and 
grows  stubborn.     Big  /,  and  little  yoii,  or  selfishness. 


276  MEMOIRS    OF 

is  hard  to  be  subdued.     I  fear  that  some  of  the ' 

brethren  will  never  come  to  that  humility,  which  is 
needful  to  a  union  among  all  the  parties.  Also  some 
of  those  of  the  U.  A.  are  in  the  same  case  of  stiffness. 
But  all  must  he  Ivmnbled.  I  am  happy  to  find  you  are 
so  moved  on  this  subject,  and  rejoice  in  the  course 
you  have  taken.  I  highly  approve  of  the  efforts 
made  and  making  to  reconcile  the  churches  in  the 
vicinity  of  each  other.  This  is  the  right  way  to 
bring  about  a  more  general  union. 

«a-  ■4>>  -a*  -M'  -v- 

^  "TT  ^s*  "Ti*  "K* 

"  I  think  I  am  as  much  disposed  to  keep  off  the 
rock  of  fatality  as  you,  or  any  one  else.  I  believe  in 
tiie  doctrine  of  predestination  and  election,  and  the 
certain  and  sure  performance  of  all  God's  purposes ; 
and  yet  I  believe  they  are  to  be  effected  strictly  in 
accordance  with  the  responsibilities  and  free  choice 
of  men,  so  far  as  they  are  concerned.  God  does  not 
operate  on  men  as  matter^  but  as  rational  creatures  ; 
and  ills  influences  are  designed  to  bring  them  to  act 
according  to  the  abilities  which  he  gave  them,  freely. 
But  I  do  not  believe  them  less  sure.  As  to  the 
Missionary  Baptists  uniting  upon  the  principle  of 
mutual  forbearance,  or  *  think  and  let  think,'  I  should 
have  no  objection  if  the  limit  could  be  fixed  so  as 
that  the  liberty  would  not  tend  to  licentiousness,  and 
presently  [mischief]  break  out  worse  than  ever.  We 
never  can  agree,  (I  speak  for  myself,)  to  a  latitude  of 
liberality,  which  would  allow  of  opposition  to  those 
doctrines. 

^  ^  ^  ^ 

"  And  what  shall  I  more  say  %  I  know  not  what. 
May  the  Lord,  the  Prince  of  peace  direct  all  our 
hearts  into  the  love  of  God,  and  a  patient  waiting 
for  his  presence  amongst  us. 


JESSE    MERCER.  §77 

"  Our  State  Ministers'  Meeting  is  to  commence  on 
Thursday  of  next  week,  to  which  I  intend  to  go,  if 
permitted.  Shall  I  see  you  there  ?  I  think  it  would 
tend  to  incline  the  ministers  favorably  towards  you, 
and  might  give  some  new  impulse.  Wishing  you 
much  grace  and  blessing,  I  am,  dear  Brother, 

**  Yours,  in  Christ  our  Lord  and  Saviour, 

"Jesse  Mercer." 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  a  highly 
esteemed  and  valuable  brother  in  the  ministry,  (now 
no  more,)  who,  in  consequence  of  what  he  deemed 
some  improper  proceedings  of  the  Association  with 
which  he  was  connected,  had  withdrawn  himself  in  a 
great  measure  from  the  society  and  councils  of  his 
brethren.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  it  will  be  read  with 
profit  by  every  individual,  who,  under  similar  cir- 
cumstances, might  be  tempted  to  pursue  the  same 
injudicious  course.  .  . 

"  Washington,  Dec.  8,  1838. 
*'  Mr  DEAR  Brother  L. 

"  I  have  in  *  the  house  of  my  pilgiimage'  constant 
proof  of  my  want  of  finnness ;  for  I  find  I  am  much 
better  to  resolve,  than  to  fulfil  my  purposes  when 
made.  When  I  was  at  your  house,  (if  I  recollect 
rightly,)  I  told  you  I  had  often  felt  like  harnessing  up 
and  coming  right  away  to  see  you.  When  I  said  so, 
I  said  truly ;  but  how  have  I  fulfilled  ?  For  a  long 
time  now  I  have  often  thought  I  would  write,  but 
still  I  have  neglected  it,  I  have  been  no  indifferent 
obsen'er  of  things  as  they  have  transpired,  in  refer- 
enco  to  you.  I  assure  you,  brother,  many  an  anxious 
thought — many  an  inquiry  has  gone  up  towards  your 


278  MEMOIRS    OF 

dwelling  to  ascertain  how  you  were  doing,  and  what 
were  the  most  probable  future  prospects  in  reference 
to  you;  for  'My  brother,  I  am  much  distressed  for 
thee  ;  For  very  pleasant  hast  thou  been  to  me.'  I 
have  been  looking  for  your  return  from  your  volun- 
tary exilement,  and  that  the  ancient  order  of  things 
would  be  restored  amongst  us  again;  but  again  I  fear 
I  shall  be  deceived !  O,  that  I  may  not  be  disap- 
pointed in  this  hope  !  I  cannot  think  of  you  as  dead, 
but  still  I  have  thought,  as  somewhat  applicable  to 
you,  on  what  was  said  of  Enoch,  *  he  was  not.'  Me- 
thinks  he  had  been  a  constant  associate  with  the  few 
pious  cotemporaries  of  his  day,  (rendered  probably 
the  more  precious  by  being  feiv,)  and  labored  so  assi- 
duously in  all  the  ways  of  piety  and  usefulness, 
known  to  them  for  the  honor  of  God  and  mutual 
edification  ;  and  the  warning  the  wicked,  (see  Paul 
and  Jude,)  till  he  obtained  among  them  '  this  testi- 
mony  that  he  pleased  God ;'  but  it  came  to  pass  that 
*  he  icas  not:''  that  is  (I  presume)  he  did  not  appear 
in  their  company  as  heretofore.  This  was  a  conspi- 
cuous— a  notable  *  icas  not^  His  few  pious  brethren 
must  have  been  gi'ieved  always  when  they  met,  to  find 
that  Bro.  Enoch  was  not  in  their  midst — his  seat  was 
always  empty.  Alas  !  '  he  was  not.'  This  must  have 
been  a  great  grief  to  them,  but  how  much  greater 
must  it  have  been  if  the  cause  had  been  any  thing  else 
but  *  God  took  him^ 

"  From  the  late  revival  in  which  you  shared  so 
largely,  I  hoped  to  see  your  youth  reneu'cd,  and  to 
find  you  again  in  company ;  but  alas  !  still,  he  is  not. 
In  all  our  meetings  for  the  promotion  of  the  public 
good,  oi'  the  general  weal  of  the  church  or  the  world, 
it  may  be  said  of  our  dear  brother  L,  7?e  is  not.     My 


JESSE    MERCER.  279 

brother,  can  you  be  persuaded  to  come  up  to  the  help 
of  your  brethren — of  God  against  the  mighty,  and  the 
many  who  oppose  all  that  is  good,  and  virtuous,  and 
true,  and  of  good  report. 

**  I  had  also  hoped  that  the  fire  of  the  revival  at 
Antioch  would  have  burned  up  all  the  old  leaven, 
which  had  been  working  strife  and  division  in  it  for 
years  past,  but  in  this  too  I  fear  I  am  disappointed. 
Opposition,  I  hear,  is  still  working  and  warring  in  it. 
Does  it  not  strike  you,  brother  L.  that  it  is  high  time 
*  that  thou  shouldest  set  in  order  the  things  that  are 
wantiufj — and  strenfrthen  the  thing's  that  remain  V 
Permit  me,  my  brother,  to  say  that  I  fear,  (as  Whit- 
field said  of  himself  to  Wesley,)  that  you  have  been 
sinfully  silent  too  long  !  You  have  been  hoping  that 
things  would  get  better,  and  have  remained  neutral — 
but  your  influence  has  not  been  neutral.  It  has  been 
at  work,  and  probably  on  the  wrong  side.  When  the 
temperance  societies  first  began'  to  form  among  us,  I 
did  not  unite — not  from  opposition  ;  but  I  was  not 
quite  ready  to  put  in.  But  I  found  my  influence 
operated  to  encourage  intemperance  !  I  therefore 
threw  myself  into  the  society  to  turn  my  influence 
(let  it  be  what  it  might)  into  a  useful  channel.  It  is 
proper  to  watch  lest  while  we  essay  to  do  good,  '  our 
good  may  be  evil  spoken  of,'  and  all  our  eflbrts  to  be 
useful  be  hindered  or  prove  abortive.  Surely  the 
state  of  our  churches  in  these  days,  calls  for  energetic 
effort  to  settle  them  again  in  peace.  To  sit  still  and 
sing  a  requiem  to  ourselves  will  not  do.  We  must 
take  sides,  not  to  fight ;  for  direct  opposition  will  be 
likely  to  make  bad  worse  !  but  to  enlist  a  host  that 
by  silent  influence  may  undermine  the  strong-hold  of 
their  opposition  !  !     Some  of  us  have  thought  a  State 


280  MEMOIRS    OF 

Ministers'  meeting  might  operate  such  an  influence, 
as  well  as  cultivate  unity  of  sentiment  and  feeling  in 
the  ministry  throughout  the  State  ;  but  if  we  were 
right  in  this  conclusion,  we  were  baffled  in  our  de- 
sign by  the  non-attendance  of  the  brethren.  The 
brethren  who  engaged  last  year  in  the  constitution 
at  Eatonton,  did  not  one  half  attend  at  Macon  the 
last  month,  and  few  others.  Does  it  not  commend 
itself  to  your  mind  that  you  could  do  greater  good 
by  uniting  with  your  brethren,  and  he  with  them 
like  a  company  of  horses  in  Pharaoh^s  chariot  ?  I 
have  a  mind,  as  no  general  meeting  falls  on  the  fifth 
Sunday  in  March,  to  have  a  big  meeting  here.  Will 
you  come  1  Where  is  brother  N.  1  Married — and 
therefore  cannot  come  !  However,  I  wish  him  and 
his  second-self  all  possible  happiness  in  their  hy- 
meneal union ;  and  that  his  helpmeet  may  be  a 
helper  to  him  in  his  ministry  which  he  has  received 
of  the  Lord.  I  had  hoped  from  the  movements  I 
had  heard  of  concerning^  brother  G.  L.,  that  he  miffht 
be  induced  to  think  again  and  turn  to  his  forsaken 
brethren.  It  is  really  a  puzzle  to  me  to  imagine 
how  a  thinking  Christian  can  take  the  course  of  the 
rending  brethren  and  continue  ! 

"  I  must  close  by  saying,  the  time  is  short — it  is 
high  time  to  awake  out  of  sleep.  What  remains  to 
you  and  me  to  be  done,  must  be  soon  done,  or  ga 
undone  for  ever.  May  the  Lord  direct  into  the 
right  way,  and  give  strength  to  walk  therein  for  liis 
name's  sake,  is  the  prayer  of  one  who  is  most 
**  Respectfully,  yours, 

'•*  In  the  bonds  of  the  Gospel, 

**  vTeSSE    MERCETtJ" 


JESSE    MERCER.  281 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

Mr.  Mercor  as  a  writor. — Speaking  the  truth  in  love  — His  Ten 
L^tttTs  on  the  AloiiLMiieiit. — Extracts. — Sermon  on  the  Excel- 
lency of  the  Knowiedire  of  Christ,  and  extracts  from  the  same. — 
Essay  on  Lord's  Supper — History  of  Georgia  Assofiation. — 
Review  of  a  certain  Report. — Essay  on  Forgiveness  ol  Sins. — 
Extracts  from  liis  Editorial  pieces. 

Mr.  Mercer  was  less  distirigfuished  as  a  writer  than 
a  preacher.  He  very  seldom  used  his  pen  until  1-'^ 
had  arrived  at  that  period  of  life  when  his  intellectual 
habits  had  become  fixed,  and  it  could  hardly  be  sup- 
posed that  he  would  feel  much  inclined  to  expend 
labor  in  rounding  his  periods,  and  decorating  his  es- 
says with  rhetorical  beauties.  He  aimed  at  nothing 
more  than  a  plain,  concise,  and  scriptural  exposition 
of  his  views.  In  this  he  was  generally  successful ; 
and  indeed  sometimes  the  natural  force  of  his  mind, 
and  the  strong  flow  of  thought  Vv'ould  cany  him  be- 
yond his  simple  aim,  and  impart  uncommon  vigor  to 
his  style,  and  now  and  then  bear  him  into  a  strain  of 
true  sublimity.  Few  %\Titers  had  equal  power  of  con- 
densing a  logical  discussion,  and  of  compassing  weighty 
and  useful  instruction  in  few  words.  In  this  respect 
his  composition  bore  a  striking  resemblance  to  his  ex- 
temporaneous effusions,  and  was  one  of  the  natural 
effects,  as  well  as  a  striking  evidence  of  his  intellect- 
ual strength. 

In  his  lengthy  and  studied  productions,  he  has  con- 
stant recourse  to  the  word  of  God,  illustrating  his  po- 
sitions by  copious  and  pertinent  selections  from  this 
great  storehouse  of  divine  wisdom.     If  his  frequent 

1 Q* 


S82  MEMOIRS    OF 

and  lengthy  quotations  from  the  scriptures,  detract 
from  tlie  value  and  interest  of  his  productions  in  the 
view  of  some,  others  will  esteem  them  more  on  this 
account,  and  especially  when  there  is  discovered  in 
the  application  of  scripture  (as  will  be  the  case  witlf 
attentive  readers)  not  a  tame  imitation  of  commen- 
taries and  theological  compends,  but  the  work  of  a 
thoughtful,  independent,  and  original  expositor  of  the 
word  of  God. 

In  his  controversial  writings  he  would  sometimes 
use  expressions  which  might  seem  to  savor  somewhat 
of  unkindness  and  asperity,  and  convey  to  some  minds 
an  erroneous  impression  of  the  real  state  of  his  feel- 
ings. In  opposing  what  he  conceived  to  be  eiTor,  he 
was  firm,  independent  and  faithful  ;  and  in  his  zeal  for 
the  truth  he  did  not  weigh  every  expression  with  that 
care  which  would  have  been  desirable ;  but  no  one 
could  be  more  free  from  bitter  and  malignant  feeling. 
His  heart  was  deeply  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  love, 
forbearance  and  Christian  kindness.     In  referrinor  to 

o 

some  strictures  on  two  of  his  brethren  which  had  given 
offence,  he  remarked  in  a  letter  to  a  Christian  brother, 
•'  If  I  might  judge  for  myself  I  never  wrote  any  stric- 
tures on  any  brethren  with  more  kind  feelings  towards 
them.  I  was  endeavorino:  to  refute  what  I  conceived 
to  be  mischievous  errors,  and  not  in  personal  abuse. 
It  has  been  one  of  the  first  desires  of  my  heart  to  be 
in  a  Christian  sense,  a  good  man,  but  to  breathe  a 
bitterness  of  temper  abhorrent  from  the  Gospel,  is,  so 
abhorrent  from  my  best  wishes,  that  I  am  exceedingly 
pained  to  be  thought  to  have  it."  In  the  same  com- 
munication, referring  to  his  connexion  with  the  Chris- 
tian Index  as  Editor,  he  observes;  "  The  place  of  an 
Editor  is   very  responsible  and  difficult.       He  must 


JESSE    MERCER.  283 

judge  of  the  communications  sent  from  his  patrons  for 
publication,  and  give  his  mind  and  be  faithful  as  one 
that  must  give  account,  and  yet  be  kind,  courteous, 
and  brotherly  towards  all.  O  that  I  may  ever  speak 
the  truth  in  love  " 

Si'EAKLXG  THE  TRUTH  IN  LOVE  !  Tliis  is  indeed  a 
blessed  maxim  for  the  regulation  of  all  the  communi- 
CBtions  of  Christ's  professed  followers,  whether  they 
proceed  from  the  pen,  or  from  the  lips.  Were  the 
spirit  of  this  precept  to  insinuate  itself  into  all  their 
religious  discussions,  what  a  multitude  of  hurtful  evils 
would  be  turned  away  from  the  cause  of  Christ. 
Bitterness  brings  no  aid  to  the  truth,  and  unkind  words 
will  not  reclaim  an  en-ins:  brother.  The  heart  should 
ever  be  full  of  Christian  tenderness,  and  the  lips  should 
speak  with  prudence  and  moderation.  In  defending 
truth  and  opposing  error,  a  man  should  be  candid, 
faithful  and  fearless  ;  but  he  is  still  to  remember  that 
candor  should  be  blended  with  courtesy,  faithfulness 
with  love,  and  boldness  with  a  meek  and  humble  spirit. 
It  may  be  said  that  in  extreme  cases  severity  may  be 
needful  ;  but  even  then  it  should  r.-ither  be  the  seve- 
rity of  truth  and  argument,  of  sound  speech  that  can- 
not be  condemned,  than  of  keen  and  irritating  w^ords. 
The  truth  of  these  reflections  must  be  obvious  to  all ; 
and  yet  they  are  uttered  at  this  time  under  the  full 
persuasion  that  they  are  not  as  deeply  felt  by  our 
brethren  as  they  should  be.  Can  it  be  denied  that 
our  denominational  difficulties  have  been  greatly  ag- 
gravated by  a  want  of  proper  conformity  to  these  sen- 
timents %  Even  where  there  has  existed  the  kindest 
feelings  and  the  best  intentions,  harsh  and  unguarded 
expressions  have  fallen  from  the  pen  or  the  Hjds,  which 
have  given  origin  to  new  resentments  and  new  com- 


284  MEMOIRS    OF 

plaints ;  or  torn  open  some  old  wound  that  was  just 
ready  to  heal.  Our  editorial  brethren  are  often  too 
caustic  and  too  peevish ;  speaking  sometimes  as  Jesus 
would  not  speak,  and  as  Paul  would  say  was  not 
**  lovely  and  of  good  report."  If  in  some  of  these  re- 
spects it  may  be  said  that  our  beloved  Mercer  was 
not  altogether  faultless,  it  certainly  becomes  all  others 
less  wise  and  holy,  to  watch  with  diligence  and  pray 
without  ceasing  that  they  enter  not  into  the  same 
temptation. 

Mr.  Mercer's  wi'itings  consist  principally  of  Circular 
Letters,  Essays  on  various  subjects;  a  few  occasional 
sermons  and  controversial  pieces  which  appeared  from 
time  to  time  in  pamphlet  form,  or  in  the  columns  of 
periodicals ;  with  his  various  editorial  effusions,  and 
a  few  manuscript  sermons  which  have  never  been 
published. 

In  the  preceding  pages  several  of  his  productions 
have  been  briefly  noticed,  and  numerous  extracts  from 
them  presented  to  the  reader,  but  there  are  others 
which  claim  a  few  passing  remarks,  and  from  which 
such  further  exti*acts  will  be  made  as  may  give  a  more 
ample  view  of  his  various  religious  opinions. 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  all  will  concur  w4th 
Mr.  Mercer  in  every  theological  opinion  which  he  has 
expressed.  He  has  left  a  record  of  his  sentiments  on 
a  variety  of  subjects,  some  of  them  of  acknowledged 
difficulty,  and  in  regard  to  which,  sentiments  more  or 
less  dissimilar  have  been  entertained  by  the  wisest 
and  best  of  men.  It  is  presumed  however,  that  the 
anxious  inquirer  after  truth  will  consult  the  opinions 
of  Mr.  Mercer  with  interest  and  respectful  attention, 
happy  to  find  any  of  his  own  views  confirmed  by  the 
conclusions  of  one  so  honest,  original  and  profound  ; 


JESSE    MERCEft.  2S6 

anu  scarcely  willing  to  atlhere  to  an  important  opiniofi 
that  might  conflict  with  the  sentiments  of  one  so  uni- 
foiTnly  coiTect,  without  carefully  reviewing  the  ground 
upon  which  it  rests. 

About  the  close  of  1829,  Mr.  Cyrus  White  publish- 
ed a  pamphlet  on  the  atonement  which  contained 
sentiments  that  were  deemed  unscriptural,  and  of  a 
decidedly  arminian  tendency.  As  Mr.  White  had 
previously  been  employed  as  one  of  the  missionaries 
of  the  Convention,  the  publication  of  his  piece  was 
considered  by  some  of  the  opposers  of  that  body  as 
evidence  in  favor  of  their  free  and  bold  assertions, 
that  the  supporters  of  the  benevolent  plans  of  the 
day,  were  unsound  in  the  faith.  For  the  purpose 
of  wresting  this  argument  from  their  hands,  as  well  as 
discouraffinof  the  circulation  of  sentiments  which  he 
considered  unscriptural,  Mr.  Mercer  wrote  and  pub- 
lished, in  1830,  his  Ten  Letters  on  the  Atonement. 

Every  candid  reader  will  be  ready  to  admit  that 
this  is  the  production  of  no  ordinary  mind  ;  and  that 
its  author  has  presented  many  weighty  and  important 
views  upon  a  subject  of  momentous  interest,  and  in 
some  of  its  aspects  of  gi'eat  difficulty. 

Mr.  Mercer's  general  views  of  the  atonement  may 
be  learned  from  the  following  extracts  from  his  second 
Letter  : 

«'  In  my  last,  I  promised  you  some  examination  of 
your  views  on  atonement.  And  first,  you  identify 
atonement  with  propitiation.  This,  though  common 
among  commentators,  is  in  my  mind,  to  confound 
cause  and  effect.  Propitiation  is  what  Christ  is,  as  the 
Saviour  of  sinners — atonement  is  what  he  has  made 
by  the  offering  of  himself  to  God  for  us.     Propitiation 


286  MEMOIRS    OF 

is  the  great  plan  of  mercy  itself — atonement  is  that 
reconciliation  and  peace,  which  he  has  obtained  by 
his  cross.  Propitiation  is  the  victim  for  sacrifice — 
atonement  is  the  acceptance  of  that  victim  in  the  place 
of  the  transgressor.  Propitiation  is  the  redemption 
price — atonement  is  the  acceptance  of  that  price  for 
the  deliverance  of  the  lawful  captives. 

"  These  words  have  a  strong  and  indissoluble  con- 
nexion in  scripture,  and  constitute  the  great  scheme 
of  mercy,  as  it  is  both  by  and  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ;  and  may  sometimes  be  synonymously  used, 
nevertheless  they  are  strikingly  different  in  significa- 
tion. The  original  import  of  these  words,  as  they  oc- 
cur in  the  New  Testament,  is  distinct — though  it  is 
said,  that  in  the  Hebrew,  they  are  both  derived  from 
words  signifying  to  cover,  as  a  lid,  like  the  mercy-seat 
did  the  law  in  the  ark  of  the  testimony.  Paul  in 
Rom.  3  :  25.  uses  the  very  word  for  mercy-seat.  *  Whom 
God  hath  set  forth  to  he  (hilasterion)  the  propitiatory  ' 
which  is  to  be  approached  *  through  faith  in  his  blood.' 
Thus  Christ  is  the  antitype  of  that  gTand  symbolical 
system  of  divine  communion  made  in  the  institution 
of  the  mercy-seat.  John  uses  in  his  1  Epis.  2  :  2.  and 
in  4  :  10.  a  kindred  word  (hilasmos)  which  is  the  vic- 
tim, or  sin-ofiering  itself.  But  atonement  is  made  by 
the  offering  of  that  victim  acceptably  to  God.  Thus  in 
Rom.  5  &  11  chaps,  (where  the  word  alone  occurs  in 
the  New  Testament)  (katallagen)  the  word  usually  ren- 
dered reconciliation,  is  used,  and  is  expressive  of  what 
we  receive  by  Christ  through  faith,  and  is  evidently 
the  effect  of  his  propitiatory  sacrifice.  Your  manner 
of  treating  it  therefore,  as  a  provision  of  life  and  par- 
don offered  to  sinners  in  the  gospel,  is  not  just ;  for  it 
is  that  very  life  and  pardon  obtained  by  the  blood  of 
the  cross." 


JESSE    MERCER.  2S7 

After  referring  to  tlie  sacrifices  of  the  old  dispensa- 
tion, the  author  adds  : 

**  I  know  of  not  an  instance,  where  the  sin-offering 
is  called  the  atonement  ;  but  always  it  is  said  to  be 
made  by  the  offering  of  it  unto  the  Lord.  Now  then 
as  atonement  is  received  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
it  must  be  something  which  he  ha8>  as  mediator,  to  be- 
stow ;  and  may  be  understood  under  the  following 
different  terms.  1.  It  is  called  reconciliation.  Dan. 
9  :  24.  *  To  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity.'  Heb. 
2  :  17.  *  Christ  an  High  Priest  in  things  pertaining  to 
God  to  make  reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  the  people.' 
2.  It  is  called  peace.  Col.  1  :  20.  *  And  having  made 
'peace  by  the  blood  of  his  cross.'  3.  It  is  called  salva- 
tion. Heb.  5:9.*  And  being  made  perfect  (through 
sufferings)  he  became  the  author  of  eternal  salvation 
unto  all  them  that  obey  him.'  Lastly.  It  is  called 
redemjition.  Rom.  3  :  24.  '  Being  justified  freely  by 
his  gi'ace,  through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Je- 
sus.' Heb.  9  :  12.  *  Christ  by  his  own  blood  having 
once  entered  into  the  holy  place,  obtained  eternal  re- 
demption for  us.'  " 

After  having  laid  down  the  scripture  account  of 
what  he  conceives  atonement  to  be,  Mr.  M.  then  pro- 
ceeds to  examine  its  relations, 

•*  1.  It  relates  to  God.  If  Christ  was  set  forth  a 
propitiation  through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  the  remission  of  sins  (Rom.  3  : 
25.)  and  if  it  became  him,  in  bringing  many  sons  to 
GLORY,  to  make  the  captain  of  their  salvation  perfect 
through  sufferings,  (Heb.  2:  10.)  without  controversy 


288  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  atonement  was  necessary,  in  some  way,  that  God 
Tiiiglithe  just  and  justify  the.  ungodly,  (Rom.  4:5.)  I 
do  not  like  very  well  your  idea  that  '  the  atonement 
must  be  tlicd,  in  its  nature,  which  will  render  God 
'propitious^  Strictly  speaking,  God  was  never  unpro- 
pitious.  But  sin  w^as  not  only  an  offence  to  him,  but 
had  thrown  obstructions  in  the  way  of  his  mercy.  The 
atonement,  therefore,  must  be  that  in  its  nature  which 
will  honor  him  in  the  view  of  all  rational  intelligences, 
in  the  vouchsafement  of  pardon  and  acceptance.  This 
is  fully  established  in  the  following  texts.  *  Christ 
hath  loved  us  and  given  himself  for  us,  an  offering  and 
a  sacrifice  to  God,  for  a  sweet  smelling  savor.'  (Eph. 
5:2.)  *  Who  gave  himself  [to  God)  for  us,  that  he 
might   redeem  us  from  all   iniquity.'     (Titus  2  :  14.) 

*  How  much  more  shall  the  blood  of  Christ,  who 
through  the  eternal  Spirit  offered  himself  without  spot 
to  God, — purge  your  consciences  from  dead  works  to 
serve  the  living  God.'  (Heb.  9  :  14.)  *  Christ  is  also 
said  to  be  High  Priest  in  things  pertaining  to  God,  to 
make  reconciliation  for  sins.'  (Heb.  2  :  17.)  These 
texts  are  in  perfect  accordance  with  the  whole  ritual 
sersdce,  where  it  will  be  seen,  that  all  the  offerings  for 
sins  were  made  to  God  to  make  reconciliation,  or 
atonement  for  the  transgressors.     Thus  says  Fuller, 

*  Atonement  has  respect  to  justice,  and  justice  to  law, 
or  the  revealed  will  of  a  sovereign,  which  has  been 
violated ;  and  its  very  design  is  to  repair  its  honor.' 
(See  vol.  4.  p.  266.)  Thus  Christ  is  the  end  of  the 
law,  07'  the  fuljihnent  of  it,  ^ot  righteousness,  or  the 
atonement,  to  every  one  that  believeth. 

"  2.  It  relates  to  God,  in  reference  to  the  sins  of 
those  who  are  atoned  for.  As  the  scriptures  connect 
the  sins  and  the  persons  of  those  for  whom  atonement 


JESSE    MERCER.  289 

is  made,  I  choose  to  put  the  two  together,  where  the 
scriptures  have  ph.cetl  them.  •  And  which  will  be  seen 
clearly  in  the  following  texts.  *  Surely  he  hath  borne 
our  griefs,  and  earned  our  sorrows.  He  was  wounded 
for  02ir  transgressions,  he  was  bruised  for  our  iniqui- 
ties ;  The  chastisement  of  our  j^cace  was  upon  him,  and 
with  his  stri/?es  we  are  healed.  All  we  like  sheep  have 
gone  astray — we  have  turned  every  one  to  his  own 
way  ;  and  the  Lord  has  laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us 
all.  When  thou  shalt  make  his  soul  an  offering^br  sin 
he  shall  see  his  seed — He  shall  see  the  tj-avail  of  his 
soul  and  be  satisfied  :  For  he  shall  hear  their  iniquities. 
Because  he  hath  poured  out  his  soul  unto  death  :  and 
he  was  numbered  with  the  transgressors;  and  he 
Lore  the  sin  of  many,  and  made  intercession  for  the 
transgressors.^  (Isa.  53d  chap.)  Seventy  weeks  are 
determined  upon  thy  j^f^pT-C  to  finish  the  transgression, 
end  to  make  an  end  of  sins.  (Dan.  9  :  24.)  Christ  was 
delivered  for  our  offences,  and  raised  again  for  our 
justification.  (Rom.  4  :  25.)  And  I  delivered  unto 
you,  that  which  I  received,  how  that  Christ  (iieafor  our 
sins,  according  to  the  scriptures.  (1  Cor.  15  :  3.)  Be- 
cause Christ  also  suffered  for  us :  Who  his  own  self 
hare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree,  that  we  be- 
ing dead  to  sins,  should  live  unto  righteousness;  By 
whose  stripes  ye  were  healed.  For  Christ  also  hath 
once  suffered  for  sins,  the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  he 
might  bring  us  to  God.  (1  Peter  2  :  21,  24.  3  :  18.)' 
Thus  the  atonement  is  complete.  It  being  a  full  satis- 
faction to  the  claims  of  divine  justice,  through  the 
violated  law,  by  the  offence  or  demerit  of  sins.  This 
complete  satisfaction  of  the  mediation  of  Christ  is  ex- 
pressed by — Christ's  being  the  end  of  the  law — ful- 
filling the  law — magnifying  and  making  honorable  tht 


290  -  MEMOIRS    OF 

law.  And  the  entire  and  full  extent  of  Christ's  sacrifice 
for  the  redemption  of  transgressions  made  under  the 
law,  being  expressed  by  making  reconciliation  for 
iniquity,  an  end  of  sin,  finishing  transgression  and 
purging  OUR  sins  hy  the  cross.  The  fulness  of  the 
atonement  is  not  to  be  measured  by  the  number  saved  ; 
but  by  its  competency  to  save  one  sinner.  Since  it  is 
not  to  be  imparted  by  parts,  but  as  a  whole.  If  it 
is  capable  amply  to  save  one  sinner  that  believeth  in 
Jesus,  then  it  is  of  the  same  capacity  to  save  to  the 
uttermost  all  that  come  unto  G-od  by  him.  So  that  to 
talk  of  a  limited  atonement,  is  to  talk  of  an  atonement 
short  of  the  requisitions  of  Justice,  and  which  leaves 
sin  partially  atoned  for  !  and  which  of  course  can  save 
no  one — or  it  is  to  suppose  it  is  administered  by  drops 
and  that  the  merits  of  Christ  can  be  exhausted ;  which 
I  presume  none  will  admit." 

In  regard  to  the  atonement's  being  considered  in 
the  liffht  of  a  commercial  transaction,  Mr.  Mercer 
makes  the  following  observations  in  his  third  letter. 

"  I  do  not  mean  to  contend  for  the  atonement,  as  a 
commercial  transaction  :  but  I  mean  to  oppose  the 
idea  of  a  vague  atonement.  I  must  contend  with 
Fuller  that  thousfh  we  cannot  view  the  orreat  work 
of  redemption  as  a  commercial  transaction  betwixt 
a  debtor  and  his  creditor :  yet  the  satisfaction  of 
justice,  in  all  cases,  requires  to  be  equal  to  what  the 
nature  of  the  offence  is  in  reality — and  to  answer 
t^e  same  end  as  if  the  guilty  party  had  actually  suf- 
fered. And  for  Christ,  as  our  substitute,  to  have 
suffered  less  for  us  than  we  should  if  the  law  had 
taken  its  course,  would  be  no  atonement  at  all,  and 


JESSE    MERCER.  291 

leave  us  in  our  sins.  I  do  not  admire  the  distinction ; 
nor  do  I  believe  any  thing  is  really  gained  by  it.  It 
seems  however,  better  calculated  to  fritter  down  the 
sufferings  of  Christ  within  the  grasp  of  our  compre- 
hension— to  show  they  were  not,  in  reality,  what  was 
required  for  sins,  and  to  make  them  a  shade,  or  re- 
presentation of  what  justice  required,  rather  than  to 
present  them  in  their  full  view  of  infinite  value.  It 
ought,  too,  to  be  recollected  tohat  is  hnpossihle  luitli 
men  is  possible  with  God.  We  poor  limited  creatures 
cannot  tell  what  calculations  infinite  wisdom  can 
make,  nor  what  doings  Almighty  power  can  effect. 
The  Scriptures  do  employ  terms  taken  from  commer- 
cial transactions  to  teach  us  our  oblio^ations  on  the 
one  hand,  and  the  greatness  of  salvation  on  the  other. 
Our  sins  are  figuratively  called  debts — the  blood  of 
Christ  is  our  redemption  price,  and  redemption  itself 
is  a  commercial  transaction.  I  see  no  reason,  there- 
fore, why  we  should  depart  from  it,  nor  any  thing  in 
it  that  renders  Atonement  impossible." 

Respecting  the  question  whether  the  sinner  has  a 
right  to  claim  salvation,  as  a  matter  of  justice,  on  the 
score  of  the  full  atonement  made  by  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  author  in  the  same  letter  thus  expresses 
himself: 

'*  A.  is  cast  into  prison  to  suffer  the  just  demerit  of 
his  crime.  B.  his  Father,  King  and  Judge  pities  him, 
and  would  release  him,  but  the  nature  of  the  case 
forbids  it.  He  has  one  only  elder  son,  amiable, 
honorable  and  beloved,  he  proposes  the  case  to  him 
with  its  difficulties  ;  C.  ponders  the  matter.  He 
loves  his  Father — and  pities  his  unfortunate  brother, 


292  MEMOIRS    OP 

and  undertakes  for  him.  The  stipulations  are  all 
laid  down  and  made  sure  between  B.  and  C. ; — then 
C»  throws  himself  into  the  breach  betwixt  B.  and  A  ; 
assumes  A.'s  place  and  answers  to  all  the  claims  of 
law  and  justice  against  him — sustains  the  honor  and 
dignity  of  B.  as  King  and  Judge  in  this  case,  and  lays 
the  ground  for  peace  and  order  in  the  kingdom. 
The  application  of  this  scale  is  easy  to  every  one, 
who  understands  the  gospel  plan  of  redemption. 
Here  full  and  complete  satisfaction  is  made,  but  yet 
carries  no  claim  of  deliverance  to  A.  ;  he  has  had 
nothing  to  do  in  the  matter,  it  is  all  grace  to  him. 
The  scheme  of  his  deliverance  originated  with  B.  his 
Father  and  King  through  the  compliance  of  C. 
heartily  yielded  to  the  will  of  his  Father.  And 
though  it  is  a  matter  of  justice,  according  to  the 
covenanted  agreements,  promises,  and  fulfilments  be- 
tween B.  and  C. ;  and  these  C.  may  of  right  plead, 
yet  it  leaves  A.  in  all  his  sin  and  misery  and  under 
law  and  condemnation.  Now  you  may  see,  though 
*  the  debt  is  fully  discharged^ — the  satisfaction  for  sin 
is  fully  made,  yet  it  affords  to  sinners  no  *  claim  to 
heaven  on  the  princijiles  of  justice;'  because  it  ori- 
ginated not  with  them,  but  with  God,  on  whom  they 
had  no  claims  for  compassion.  Indeed,  if  they  had 
procured  for  themselves  a  good  and  acceptable  surety, 
who  had  made  full  satisfaction  for  their  sins,  they 
would — they  must  have  had  a  just  right  to  deliverance. 
But  since  they  had  no  part  in  the  scheme,  but  it  was 
all  of  God — OP  HIM  are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  op 
God  is  made  unto  us  wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and 
sanctif  cation,  and  redemption,  both  the  plan  and  the 
application  of  it  are  clearly  of  God,  and  is  therefore, 
a  matter  of  the  merest  mercy  and  /y-^e  grace  to  sinners 


JliSSE    MERCER.  293 

jusliy  coiulcmiicd  under  the  law,  and  lying  under  its 
curse  till  they  are  quickened  and  made  alive  in  Christ. 
Thus  though  their '  debt  is  fully  discharged,'  in  the  plan 
of  Redemption  as  it  lies  with  God,  yet  the  Holy  Ghost 
can,  and  does  in  conviction  teach  sinners,  *  that  they 
are  justly  condemned,  and  that  if  they  are  saved,  it 
must  be  by  God's  mercy  alone.'  For  the  Divine 
Spirit  does  not  first  teach  men  what  they  are  in 
Christ  Jesus,  but  what  they  are  in  themselves  and 
under  the  violated  law,  and  then,  he  presents  to  them 
Christ  the  propitiation,  '  that  by  faith  in  his  blood,' 
they  may  see  the  righteousness  of  God  sustained  in 
the  remission  of  their  sins." 

A  sentence  or  two  from  the  seventh  Letter  will 
give  some  of  the  author's  views  on  the  subject  of 
human  obligation  and  ability.  After  refening  to 
some  of  Mr.  W.'s  peculiar  views,  he  adds  : 

"  From  all  which,  it  is  evident  you  believe,  that  sin 
has  destroyed  in  man  the  principle  of  responsibility  ; 
else  he  could  not  be  free  from  obligation  to  obey  God 
in  any  case ;  for  the  want  of  natural  ability  alone, 
destroys  moral  obligation.  If  so,  then  sin  has  ren- 
dered disobedience  7io  crime  !  Byt  is  this  true  ]  If 
there  be  no  obligation  on  man,  as  a  sinner,  then,  there 
'  is  no  duty ;  and  where  there  is  no  duty,  there  is  no 
law  ;  and  where  there  is  no  law,  there  is  no  trans- 
gression; and  where  there  is  no  transgression,  there 
is  no  blame ;  and  consequently  impenitence  and  un- 
belief are  harmless  things !" 

Farther  on,  he  remarks  ; 

"  It  would  be  well  to  observe,  there  is  a  natural 
and  a  moral  ability.     The  one  constitutes  us  account- 


294  MEMOIRS    OF 

able  beings ;  the  other  consists  in  well  disposedness 
towards  God,  our  Maker,  and  fits  us  for  duty.  The 
loss  of  one  destroys  responsibility  and  frees  from 
blame — the  loss  of  the  other  makes  us  sinners  and 
subjects  us  to  guilt  and  condemnation." 

Mr.  White  professed  to  be  of  the  sentiments  of 
Fuller ;  but  it  is  evident  that  he  did  not  fully  under- 
stand the  views  of  that  profound  theologian.  Many 
of  what  Mr.  Mercer  regards  as  W.'s  objectionable 
views,  he  fully  answers  by  lengthy  quotations  from 
Mr.  Fuller's  controversy  with  Mr.  Button  and  Phi- 
lanthropos. 

In  the  conclusion  of  his  ninth  Letter  he  makes  the 
following  obsen^ations  on  Fuller  and  Gill. 

"  From  the  above  it  appears,  that  Mr.  Fuller  is  not 
so  opposed  to  Dr.  Gill  as  many  have  thought.  All 
that  Fuller  contends  for,  as  to  the  infinite  worth  of 
the  atonement,  is  comprehended  in  Gill's  view  of  the 
scheme  of  redemption.  What  Gill  places  in  the 
covenant  transactions,  and  considers  as  past  and  done 
in  the  eternal  mind,  Fuller  resolves  into  *  the  sovereig7i 
pleasure  of  God,  w^th  a  regard  to  the  application  of 
the  atonement ;  that  is,  U'ith  regard  to  the  persons 
to  wlio?n  it  shall  he  applied.''  What  then  is  the  dif- 
ference ?  A  mere  shade — a  diiference  only  in  the 
Tiiodus  operandi  of  the  great  plan.  They  are  in  per- 
fect harmony  in  the  totality  of  human  depravity — the 
necessity  and  efficiency  of  divine  influence — the  ful- 
ness and  sufficiency  of  the  covenant  provision  for,  and 
the  certain  application  of  them  to  the  salvation  of  the 
elect  07ily. — The  difference  then,  betwixt  them  is  only 
speculative ;  the   agitation  of  ivhich   is  much  better 


JESSE    MERCER.  295 

calculated    to   promote   those   opposit'wns   of  science 
Jalscly  so  called,  or  that  pliilosoph}j  and  vain  deceit, 
from    which    Paul   so   much   dissuades,    rather   than 
Godly  cdifii^i.ngr 

Space  can  only  be  allowed  for  two  or  three  more 
short  quotations  from  this  work  :  they  are  from  the 
last  Letter. 

"  You  represent  the  atonement  precisely  the  same 
*  to  all  the  unbelievers  in  the  world/  as  *  to  the  be- 
lievers ;'  nay,  more,  as  applying  '  in  the  same  sense,' 
to  all  those  *  dead  and  in  ItelV  as  to  those  '  dead  and  in 
heaven  before  the  Saviour  died !'  This  is  the  same  as 
to  say,  that  all  who  have  been  hanged,  since  the  pro- 
vision was  made,  in  the  law,  to  reprieve  criminals, 
were,  just  as  much  interested  in  that  provision,  as 
those  who  were  reprieved  ;  which  is  to  affirm  against 
fact,  reason,  common  sense  and  truth.  It  makes  the 
application  of  the  atonement  a  nullity,  and  puts  the 
believer  and  the  unbeliever  upon  the  same  footing  : 
and  as  it  leaves  unbelievers  exposed  *  to  the  impend- 
ing stonn,  which  will  burst  with  fury  upon  their 
heads  in  the  awful  day  of  accounts,'  so  it  must  leave 
all  believers  equally  exposed  to  wrath  !  Besides,  it 
removes  that  line  of  difference,  which  the  Scriptures 
have  laid  down  between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked : 
and  subjects  you  to  the  severe  rebuke  of  the  rulers  of 
Jerusalem.  '  Her  priests  have  violated  my  laws,  and 
have  profaned  my  holy  things  ;  They  have  put  no 
difference  between  the  holy  and  profane,  neither  have 
they  showed  the  difference  between  the  unclean  and 
the  clean.*  (Ezek.  22  :  26.)  This  is  a  very  serious 
charge  !" 


296  MEMOIRS    OF 

***** 

"  There  is  one  other  point,  to  which,  1  must  call 
your  attention  before  I  close  :  It  is  the  manner  in 
which  you  treat  a  personal  interest  in  th^e  death  of 
Christ.  There  is  no  subject  so  fraught  with  comfort 
to  the  Christian  soul,  as  the  dying  love  of  Jesus  :  No 
feeling,  so  full  of  pleasure  as  a  consciousness  of  in- 
terest in  that  love.  When  faith,  working  by  love,  is 
in  full  exercise,  the  happy  soul  sings  for  joy 

*  He  hath  loved  me,  I  cried,  he  hath  suffer'd  and  died, 
To  redeem  such  a  rebel  as  I !' 

"  This  was  the  joy  of  the  ancient  saints  :  *  Rejoice 
greatly,  O  Daughter  of  Sion  ;  shout,  O  Daughter  of 
Jerusalem  ;  behold  thy  King  cometh  unto  thee :  he 
is  just,  and  having  salvation  ;  and  riding  upon  an  ass, 
and  upon  a  colt  the  foal  of  an  ass  :'  Zech.  9  :  9.  This 
was  the  glorying  of  Paul.  '  God  forbid,'  said  he,  *  that 
I  should  glory  save  in  the  cross  of  Christ ;  who  loved 
me,  and  gave  himself  for  me.'  (Gal.  2  :  20.  6  :  14.)  It 
is  the  joyful,  and  triumphant  song  of  the  redeemed 
both  in  earth  and  heaven  ;  *  Unto  him  that  loved  us, 
and  hath  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood, 
and  hath  made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  God  and 
his  Father ;  to  him  be  glory  and  dominion  for  ever 
and  ever.  Amen.  And  they  sung  a  new  song,  saying, 
thou  art  worthy,  for  thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed 
us  to  God  by  thy  blood  out  of  every  kindred,  and 
tongue,  and  nation,  and  people.'  (Rev.  1  :  5,  6.  5  :  9.) 
But  the  view  you  take  of  this  delightful  subject,  saps 
the  foundation  of  all  this  holy  joy  :  for  if  Christ  has 
died  equally  for  those  in  unbelief,  as  in  faith,  for  those 
in  hell,  as  for  those  in  heaven,  there  can  be  no  pro- 
priety in  the  joys  of  those  who  are  saved,  because 


JGSSE    MERCER.  297 

Jesus  had  died  for  them,  when  ho  had  died  '  in  the 
same  sense,'  for  those  who  are  perished!  Common 
rights  should  never  be  the  reason  of  pecuhar  joys." 
***** 
"  That  the  sheep  of  Christ  have  a  glorious  interest 
in  their  shepherd's  death,  over  the  world,  which  lies 
in  wickedness — that  a  believer  has  a  part  in  the  atone- 
ment, with  which  an  infidel — a  stranger,  intermeddles 
not,  is  spread  all  over  the  face  of  Scripture.  There 
is  nothing  plainer  in  the  sacred  i3ages  than  that  men, 
before  faith  in  Christ  and  the  inspiration  of  his  Holy 
Spirit,  are  dead  in  sins,  under  the  law  and  curse  of 
God,  icithout  Christ  and  without  hope  and  God  in 
the  icorld ;  and  as  such,  liable  to  eternal  death !  It 
is  false  and  deceptive  to  address  men,  in  unbelief  and 
impenitence,  as  the  objects  of  Christ's  death,  as  if 
they  had  a  personal  interest  in  him,  and  were  re- 
deemed by  his  blood,  any  further  than  it  regards  them 
as  sinners.  It  is  true  there  is  an  objective  fulness  in 
Christ,  of  infinite  worth,  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost, 
all  that  come  unto  God  by  him  ;  which  forms  the 
glad  tidings  of  great  joy — the  substance  of  the  gospel 
message — the  object  of  faith — the  fulness  of  the  bless- 
ings of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  But  whatever  this  is; 
it  is  in  the  Bible  of  God  restricted  to  them  that 
believe.  Thus,  Christ  is  set  forth  to  be  the  propitia- 
tion through  faith  in  his  blood.  The  gospel  is  the 
jDower  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  he- 
lievcth.     Christ  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  rigrhteous- 

o 

ness  to  every  one  that  hclicvc.th.    But  he  tliat  helicveih 
not  shall  be  damned." 

It  may  here  be  proper  to  notice  a  discourse  of  Mr, 
Mercer's  published  \ii  1839,  in  ihe  Southern  Baptist 
Preaclier,  entitled  llio  Excellency  of  the  Kvowh-dgv  of 

14 


298  MEMOIRS    OP 

Christ  Jesus  the  Lord.  It  is  founded  on  Phil.  3  :  8. 
The  author  considers  the  excellency  of  the  know- 
ledge of  Christ  as  dependent  upon  the  excellency  of 
Christ  himself,  and  illustrates  that  excellency  as  it  re- 
lates, 1st,  to  his  personal  dignity;  and  2dly,  to  the 
value  of  his  sacrifice.  In  discussing  the  2d  branch  of 
his  subject,  he  takes  occasion  to  present  some  impor- 
tant thoughts  upon  the  nature  and  design  of  the  atone- 
ment. A  few  extracts  are  here  subjoined,  which  in 
connexion  with  the  selections  already  made  from  his 
Ten  Letters,  will  give  something  like  a  general  out- 
line of  Mr.  Mercer's  sentiments  on  this  interesting 
and  momentous  subject. 

"  As  the  Apostle  informs  us,  in  his  epistle  to  the 
Hebrews,  especially  in  chap.  10  :  1 — 10.  that  Christ 
offered  his  body  once  for  (or  in  lieu  of)  all  sacrifices, 
we  are  safe  in  concluding  that  all  the  good  things 
which  were  held  forth  in  shadows  to  the  family  of  Is- 
rael, are  found  essentially  in  Christ's  atonement,  and 
exhibited  in  the  dispensation  of  the  gospel  to  man- 
kind. Let  us  examine  the  Levitical  Economy,  and 
see  what  atonements  were  made  therein,  and  their 
uses,  and  then  search  for  their  analogies  in  the  atone- 
ment made  by  our  Lord.     And 

"  1.  There  were  sacrifices  offered  to  make  atone- 
ment for  the  sins  of  the  whole  house  of  Israel.  This 
was  done  to  preserve  the  nation,  to  avert  divine  judg- 
ments, and  to  establish  among  them  the  institutions  of 
mercy.  See  Lev.  16  :  33,34.  Num.  8:19.  16: 
46—50.      25  :  10—13. 

"  2.  Sacrifices  were  offered  to  make  atonement  for 
persons  and  things,  to  consecrate  and  sanctify  them, 
and  to  make  them  suitable  to  be  engaged  in  the  work 
of  God.     See  Lev.  16  :  16—19. 


JESSE    MERCER.  299 

**  Sacrifices  were  offered  to  make  atonement  for  the 
Bins  of  individuals.  This  was  done  to  open  a  door  of 
hope  to  those  who  were  sensible  of  their  sin,  and  bur- 
■dened  with  their  guilt  before  God,  that  they  might 
seek  and  obtain  pardon  of  sin,  and  peace  of  mind. 
See  Lev,  1:4.    5  :  6—13.  * 

"  Now  all  these  benefits  will  in  truVti^  be  found  in 
the  dispensation  o'i  the  gospel  to  ^mankind,  *  Through 
the  redemption  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus.*  There  is 
■in  all  this  a  main  design,  which  is  the  certain  salvation 
of  all  God's  spiritual  Israel.  Other  things,  no  less 
obtained  through  the  atonement,  made  by  the  shed- 
ding of  the  blood  of  Christ,  must  be  considered  as 
"*  scaffoldings  to  the  main  design.'     And 

*'  1.  Atonement  was  mai^e  in  Christ  for  the  sins'df 
the  world.  Let  none  be  surprised  at  this  position, 
till  it  is  well  considered.  Although  atonement  al- 
ways has  reference  to  sin,  yet  it  relates  to  sin  under 
different  circumstances  anfi  obtains  satisfaction  for  it 
in  relation  to  different  ends. — When  the  scriptures 
•speak  of  the  taking  away  of  the  sin  of  the  world,  or 
of  the  world's  being  saved,  we  are  not  to  understand 
teternal  redejyijJtion  ;  but  the  reconciling  of  the  world 
•as  such,  and  its  preservation  from  deserved  wrath 
until  the  redemption  of  the  purchased  possession. 
This  is  obvious  too,  from  the  fact  that  God  does  not 
<lesign  to  save  men  by  worlds,  or  nations,  but  only  by 
individuals.  In  this  particular  sense,  the  sin  of  the 
•world  may  be  taken  away,  aiid  yet  every  man  be 
still  in  his  sins  ;  and  will  be  so  until  the  atonement 
is  applied  to  him  by  faith  for  the  pardon  of  his  own 
■sins. 

"2.  Through  the  atonem.ent  made  by  the  offering 
•of  the  body  of  Christ  once  for  all  sacrifices,  has  been 
<»btained  a  divine  influence  to  consecrate,  set  apart, 


300  WEMoras  OF 

and  nender  fit  all  persons  and  things,  which  might 
be  employed  in  the  service  of  God.  As  in  the  typey 
no  person  or  things  could  be  engaged  in  the  litual 
service,  without  atonement  made,  so  all  fitness  fiar  any 
service  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  is  derived  from  the 
atonement  of  Christ. 

"In  this  view  Christ  said  to  his  disciples,  (and  it  is 
of  general  application,)  *  without  me  ye  can  do  noth- 
ing.' And  hence  he  prayed  for  them  *  That  they 
might  be  sanctified  through  the  truth,'  or  be  set  apart 
to  the  ministry  of  the  word  in  the  world,  John  15  : 
5.  17  :  17,  IS.  In  accordance  with  this  view,  Paul 
(for  himself  and  his  fellow  ministers}  disclaims  all 
efficiency  in  themselves,  but  avers  *  our  suflficiency  is 
of  God.'  And  therefore,  gives  thanks  to  God  for  all 
their  successes.     2  Cor.  3:5.     2  :  14. 

"  This  doctrine  is  more  generally  taught,  2  Tim.  2  : 
21.     3  r  17.     But 

"  3.  By  this  atonement  is  secured  the  complete  and 
final  salvation  of  all  the  elect,  or  church  of  Christ. 
This  Paul  affirms,  Eph.  5  :  25—27.  He  says,  *  Christ 
loved  the  church  arid  gave  hhnsclf for  it;  that  he 
might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it  with  the  washing  of  wa- 
ter by  the  word  ;  that  he  might  present  it  to  himself 
a  glorious  church,  not  haTing  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any 
such  thing ;  but  that  it  should  be  holy  and  without 
blemish.'  And  in  Heb.  10  :  14.  *  For  by  one  offering 
he  (Christ)  hath  perfected  for  ever  them'  that  are  sanc- 
tified.' Or  set  apart  by  said  offering  to  such  an  end. 
This  is  the  main  design. 

"  And  now  the  question  very  naturally  comes  up, 
was  the  sacrifice  of  Christ  offered  as  a  sin-offering  to 
law  and  justice,  without  regard  to  any  persons  what- 
ever, but  only  to  make  an  atonement  which  might 
justify  the  offended  God  in  the   pardon  of  such  per- 


JEoSE    MERCER.  301 

sons  as  he  might  see  proper  afterwards  to  apply  it  1 
Or,  was  it  made  with  a  special  design  for  those  who 
were  afterwards  to  be  benefited  thereby  ]  1  cannot 
admit  of  this  impersonal  atonement,  1.  because  it  does 
not  show  any  justifiable  or  legal  reason  for  the  death 
of  Christ,  or  why  it  pleased  the  Father  to  bruise  hiiiu 
If  he  died  for  sin,  it  must  be  the  sin  of  somebody,  or 
else  it  establishes  the  vague  notion  that  sin  can  be 
punished  in  hell  and  the  sinner  saved  in  heaven.  But 
2.  The  scriptures  connect  so  often  and  so  fully  the 
suffering  of  Christ  with  those  for  whom  he  suffered, 
that  I  cannot  resist  the  conclusion  that  Christ  died 
specially  for  those  who  shall  be  the  heirs  of  eternal 
salvation." 

In  support  of  this  view  of  the  subject,  the  author 
quotes  John  10  :  11.  15.  Rom.  5  :  8.  1  Cor.  15  :  3.  1 
Thess.  5  :  9,  10,  and  various  other  parallel  passages, 
and  then  proceeds  as  follows  : 

"  Under  this  department  of  atonement,  lies  the  spe- 
cial and  efficacious  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and 
all  the  measures  of  divine  grace  necessary  to  effect 
and  bring  about  all  the  purposes  of  God  in  the  full 
and  final  salvation  of  his  people.  And  for  this  pur- 
pose Christ  is  constituted,  *  the  Head  over  all  things 
to  the  church.'  To  him  is  given  all  authority  and 
power  in  heaven  and  earth ;  and  in  him  it  has  pleased 
the  Father  that  all  fulness  should  dwell.  So  that  he, 
as  king,  i-ules  in  the  midst  of  his  enemies,  and  reigns 
in  his  church,  dispensing  his  grace,  and  shedding 
abroad  his  love.  He  influences,  directs  and  rondel's 
efficient  the  uses  and  operations  of  all  means  and  in- 
struments he  may  sec  proper  to  employ  in  his  work, 
and  nothing  is  sufficient  of  itself  without  him  to  do 
any  good  thing,  so  it  is,  that  he  is  all  and  in  all. 


302  BJEMOIKS    OF 

"  In  conclusion,  let  ns  observe  that  the  etiflferent 
departments  of  the  great  atonement  form  but  one 
mighty  scheme  of  mercy.  Though  some  parts  are, 
as  I  said  before,  scaffoldings  to  the  main  design,  yet 
they  are  all  necessary  to  that  design,  and  properly  be- 
long to  it. 

"As  the  atonement  made  for  the  whole  house  of 
Israel,  procured  to  individuals  who  were  sensible  of 
their  guilt,  an  opportunity  to  come  and  offer  a  sacri- 
fice to  make  atonement  for  their  own  sins,  and  obtain 
pardon,  see  Lev.  1  :  2 — 4.  4  :  27 — 35.  so  the  death 
of  Christ,  by  the  dispensation  of  the  gospel  to  the 
world,  has  opened  up  a  way  whereby  guilty  sinners 
under  conviction,  may  come  and  seek  the  pardon  of 
their  sins  by  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  And 
there  is  something  in  this  process  analogous  to  the 
guilty  Israelite's  obtaining  pardon  under  the  law.  A 
convicted  soul  in  coming  to  God  through  Christ,  as  it 
were,  brings  Christ  and  presents  him  by  faith  to  God 
as  his  sin-offering,  lays  his  hands  on  his  head,  con- 
fesses hi&  sins  over  him,  and  slays  him,  and  sees  him 
offered  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  a  sweet  savor,  and  feels 
Lis  sins  forgiven  him,  through  the  shedding  of  his 
blood  which  cleanses  fioni  all  sin. 

"  I  admit  that  the  provisions  of  the  general  atone- 
ment, by  which  the  kindness  and  love  of  God  to  man 
appeared,  through  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christy 
who  abolished  death  and  brought  life  and  immor- 
tality to  light  through  the  gospel,  accompanied  by  the 
common  or  general  operations  of  the  all-pervading 
Spirit  of  God,  are  sufficient  for  all  the  purposes  of 
man's  salvation,  and  all  men,  wherever  they  are  dis- 
pensed, would  be  saved,  were  it  not  for  that  aliena- 
tion of  heart,  which  has  everywhere  estranged  man 
from  God,  and  filled  him  with  that  enmity  which  is 


JESSE    MERCER.  303 

not  subject  to  his  law,  neither  indeed  can  he  ;  but  God, 
foreseeing  that  710  man  would  receive  the  testimony^ 
John  3  :  32.  and  that  all  men  would  turn  away  from 
the  holy  commandment  delivered  to  them,  whereby 
all  men  are  without  excuse,  has,  in  the  plenitude  of 
his  mercy,  deteiTnined,  in  the  riches  of  his  grace,  ac- 
cording to  the  sovereign  counsel  and  good  pleasure 
of  his  own  will,  (Eph.  1  :  10,  11.)  to  exercise  a  power 
sufficient  to  effect  the  purposes  of  his  grace  in  the  sal- 
vation of  his  own  chosen  people.  By  the  display  of 
this  power,  his  enemies  are  changed  into  friends,  Ps. 
Ill  :  2,  3.  and  they  that  hated  him  bow  before  him 
and  give  him  glory.  In  the  exercise  of  this  power 
there  is  nothing  arbitrary  or  absolute,  for  it  is  the  fruit 
of  love ;  but  is  all  conciliatory  and  effectual.  And 
thus,  by  influences  perfectly  congenial  with  human 
capacities  and  responsibilities,  men  are  constrained  to 
turn  unto  God  with  their  whole  heart,  and  subject 
themselves  unto  his  reign  and  become  the  people  of 
his  praise." 

In  1833  Mr.  Mercer  published  an  essay  on  the 
Lord's  supper,  based  on  1  Cor.  5  :  7,  8.  in  which  he 
runs  an  analogy  between  this  gospel  ordinance,  and 
the  Jewish  passover.  It  contains  much  judicious  and 
well-timed  instruction,  and  would,  no  doubt,  be  use- 
ful to  the  churches  if  more  generally  circulated  and 
carefully  peiiised.  Space  can  only  be  allowed  for 
one  or  two  paragraphs  fiom  the  concluding  part  of 
the  essay. 

"  From  the  foregoing,  it  is  palpable  that  open,  unre- 
stricted communion  has  no  place  in  scripture  ;  has 
not  the  least  shadow  of  propriety,  and  is  perfectly 
untenable.     It  is  truly  to  be  regretted,  that  so  much 


304  IVIZMOIRS     OF 

should  have  been  stiid  on  a  subject  on  which  the 
scripture  is  entirely  silent;  and  therefore  can  only 
distract  the  weak  and  wavering,  instead  of  edifying 
and  confirming  their  souls  in  the  right  ways  of  the 
Lord.  The  plea  on  which  open  communionists  rest 
their  arguments,  is  '  christian  liberality  /'  a  cause  for 
which  we  are  nowhere  in  scripture  required  to  com- 
mune. If  then  we  commune  together  at  the  Lord's 
table  to  show  our  christian  love  to  one  another,  we 
pervert  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord,  and  subject  our- 
selves to  the  keen  rebuke  of  *  who  hath  required  this 
at  your  hands  ]'  Though  church  members  to  hold  a 
pure  communion,  must  be  in  christian  fellowship, 
formed  into  a  new  unleavened  lump,  in  sincerity  and 
truths  yet  they  are  nowhere  required  to  commune  to 
show  their  union,  love  and  affection  to  each  other;  but 
to  their  Lord — to  keep  a  holy  memorial  of  his  suffer- 
ings, and  to  show  his  death  till  he  come. 

**  Christian  love,  or  liberality,  is  a  fundamental  pre- 
requisite, without  the  manifestation  of  which,  no  body 
of  believers  can  be  in  that  state  of  union  and  fellow- 
ship which  will  authorize  them  to  commune  at  the 
Lord's  table.  This  love  is  everywhere,  in  scripture, 
required  to  be  manifested  by  believers  in  Christ,  one 
towards  another;  not  indeed,  by  any  ceremony,  but 
by  practically  abounding  in  the  works  of  benevo- 
lence, brotherly  kindness  and  charity ;  when,  there- 
fore, any  body  of  Christians  have  gained  gospel  union 
and  fellowship  one  with  another,  by  the  manifestations 
of  fei-vent  love  towards  each  other,  then,  and  not  till 
then,  are  they  prepared  to  give  an  expression  of  their 
love  and  affection  to  Christ,  in  a  participation  of  the 
memorials  of  his  sufferings  and  death.  No  set  of  be- 
lievers can  be  practically  brought  to  this  slate  of 
christian  unity  and  fellowship,  without  the  pious  use 


JES-SE    MERCER.  305 

of  a  godly  discipline,  and  therefore,  none  can  sit  to- 
gether, with  gospel  propriety,  at  the  table  of  the  Lord, 
but  those  who  are  subject  to  its  control ;  for  if  disci- 
pline guards  the  table  of  the  Lord,  then  none  can 
gos^ielly  sit  around  it,  but  tliose  who  are  under  its 
banner." 

In  1836,  Mr.  Mercer  published  his  History  of  the 
Georgia  Association,  a  work  that  was  prepared  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  request  of  that  body.  It  is  proper, 
however,  to  state,  that  most  of  the  labor  of  preparing 
the  volume  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Stokes, 
associate  editor  of  the  Index  ;  Mr.  Mercer  furnishing 
the  materials,  and  taking  the  general  oversight  of  the 
work  as  it  progressed.  Mr.  Mercer  therefore  lield 
himself  responsible  for  the  accuracy  of  the  historical 
details,  whilst  the  merits  of  the  composition,  whatever 
they  may  be,  except  as  to  those  documents  which  are 
introduced  in  the  language  of  others,  are  to  be  put  to 
the  credit  of  his  esteemed  and  worthy  co-laborer. 
The  work  is  divided  into  four  parts  : — The^r.s^  em- 
braces some  account  of  the  church-es  previous  to  the 
formation  of  the  body ;  an  account  of  its  organization, 
its  articles  of  faith  and  decorum,  compilations  from 
the  Minutes  of  the  body,  and  some  of  the  reports  of 
its  Missionary  Board,  &c.  The  second  jxirt  consists 
of  the  most  important  queries  that  from  time  to  time 
were  propounded  to  the  body,  with  the  answers  given. 
The  third  iiart  embraces  a  selection  from  the  Circu- 
lar Letters  of  the  Association,  and  constitutes  rather 
more  than  one  half  the  volume.  Amongst  the  names 
of  the  various  authors,  are  found  those  of  Silas  Mercer, 
Jesse  Mercer,  Abram  Marshall,  Wm.  Rabun,  James 
Armstrong,  J.  P.  Marshall,  W.  T.  Brantly,  Jack 
Lumpkin,  Adiel  Sherwood,  Otis  Smith,  B.  M.  Sanders, 

14* 


306  MEMOIRS  or 

and  many  others,  whose  names  are  dear  to  the  Bap-' 
tists  of  Georgia.  The  fourth  and  last  part  is  made 
up  of  shorty  yet  interesting  biographical  sketches  of 
some  of  the  venerable  departed  fathers  in  the  minis- 
try ;  who  had  either  been  connected  with  the  body, 
or  labored  usefully  in  gathering  more  or  less  of  the 
materials  of  which  it  was  afterwards  composed. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  this  volume  has  not  met 
with  that  ready  sale  which  its  inherent  value  would 
have  justified.  A  large  portion  of  the  work  would  be 
edifying  and  instructive  to  ministers  and  private  memi- 
bers  of  the  church  ;  and  the  entire  volume  valuable 
as  a  work  of  reference.  The  future  historian  cannot 
fail  to  turn  over  its  pages  with  pleasure  and  ad' 
vantaoje. 

In  1837  Mr.  Mercer  published  a  Review  of  a  cer- 
tain Committee's  Report,  which  appeared  in  the  12tli 
number  of  the  1st  volume  of  the  "Primitive  Baptist,"* 
a  violent  anti-missionary  paper,  published  in  North 
Carolina.     This  Report,  in  giving  its  version  of  cer- 
tain church  and  associational  difficulties,  which  ha;d 
been  the   occasion    of  much  controversy  and  bitter 
feeling,  impugned   unjustly,  as  Mr.  Mercer  supposed, 
the   Georgia  Association  and  the  State  Convention.^^ 
"  To  disabuse  the  public  mind,  in  reference  to  the 
two  bodies  above  named,  to  exculpate  them  from  the 
misrepresentations    and    ill-demeanors    laid    to    their 
charge,  and  to  set  some  facts  stated  in  a  more  clear 
light,"  was  the  design  of  this  Review.     As  the  pam- 
phlet is  mostly  devoted  to  affairs  of  a  local  and  tem- 
porary interest,  a  particular  notice  of  its  contents  may 
not  be   necessary  here  :   it.  is  due  however   to   the 
author  to  say,  that  it  was  prepared  with  much  ability, 
and  was  well  adapted  to  the  design  for  which  it  was 


JESSE    MERCER.  307 

wnlten.     The  following  are  the  closing  sentences  of 
the  pamphlet. 

"  Say  not  that  this  distress  is  produced  by  mission- 
ary and  kindi'ed  societies.  Those  existed  long  before 
this  discord  arose — and  all  were  in  peace — all  admit- 
ting that  each  brother  should  use  his  liberty  in  these 
things,  to  act  or  not  as  he  choosed.  And  thus  all  was, 
up  to  that  very  day  when  the  Associations  assumed  the 
right  to  adjudicate  the  churches.  But  from  that  day, 
fierce  contentions,  bitter  animosities  and  divisions 
have  increased  amongst  us.  Will  not  the  brethren 
wake  up  to  this  fact,  and  come  up,  with  one  heart  and 
united  hands,  to  the  help  of  our  bleeding  Zion  1  As 
said  Paul  in  another  case,  'he  that  letteth  will  let,  till 
he  be  taken  out  of  the  icay ;''  so  we  may  say  in  this 
case.  T^he  catisc  which  has  jnoduccd  our  strife  end 
divisions,  will  continue  to  produce  confusion  and  dis- 
cord, till  it  he  taken  out  the  way. — And  I  can  see  no 
way  by  which  peace  can  be  restored  to  our  Churches, 
except  our  brethren  will  give  up  their  Associational 
jurisdiction,  retract  their  decisions,  and  restore  to  the 
Churches  their  plundered  rights. 

"  May  the  God  of  peace,  send  peace ;  by  leading 
all  his  people  to  do  that  which  is  well  pleasing  in  His 
sight,  for  the  sake  of  the  Prince  of  peace.  So  prays 
the  fi'iend  and  fellow  servant  of  all  who  love  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity. 

"Jesse  Mercer." 

At  a  Ministers'  Meeting  in  Powelton,  held  in  Nov. 
1839,  Mr.  Mercer  read  an  essay  on  the  query,  *'  Is  the 
cause  of  Missionary  Societies  and  other  kindred  i?isti- 
tutions,  as  advocated  hy  the  Georgia  Baj^tist  Conven- 
tion, the  cause  of  God  .?"      The  writer,  of  course, 


308  MEMOIRS    OF 

endeavored  to  establish  the  affirmative.  After  pre- 
senting a  few  appropriate  and  remarkably  condensed 
scriptural  arguments,  he  thus  concludes  :  "  If  the 
societies  complained  of  are  not  fulfilling  the  scriptures 
according  to  the  purpose  of  God,  set  forth  in  prophe- 
cies and  command,  there  is  no  operation  now  fulfilling, 
or  pretending  to  fulfil  them.  Can  this  be  supposed!" 
Early  in  1841,  appeared  in  the  columns  of  the 
Index  an  essay  in  three  numbers,  from  the  pen  of 
Mr.  Mercer,  on  the  Forgiveness  of  Sins.  In  these 
numbers  are  considered  the  Soiirce  of  forgiveness ; 
the  Mediu77i  of  communication  ;  how  it  is  dispensedy 
and  how  it  is  received  ;  and  also  its  occasions.  Under 
the  last  head  he  presents  his  views  upon  a  subject 
which  has  been  much  controverted  of  late  years  in 
certain  sections  of  the  country. 

"  These  texts  (Mark  1 :  4.  Acts  2 :  38.)  have  been 
used  by  some  as  if  remission  of  sins  was  dispensed 
in  baptism,  and  that  believers  were  now  to  be  baptized 
in  order  to  receive  the  remission  of  their  sins.  If 
these  passages  were  all  that  the  Bible  contained  on 
the  subject,  there  might  be  a  shadow  of  difficulty  in 
the  construction  of  them  ;  but  as  the  Scriptures  are 
elsewhere  indubitably  clear,  that  pardon  is  dispensed 
by  the  Holy  Sj^irit,  and  received  by  faith,  as  all  other 
gospel  blessings  are,  the  sense  in  these  texts  must  be 
differently  understood.  And  I  am  fully  persuaded 
that  the  true  meaning  is,  that  baptism  is  to  be  sub- 
mitte.l  to,  as  all  other  obedience  is  to  be  done,  in 
reference  to  the  remission  of  sins.  The  true  sense  in 
these  passages,  depends  on  the  meaning  of  for,^  as 
used  in  them.  Webster,  in  his  late  Dictionary,  among 
many  other  renderings,  has  the  two  following.  *  On 
account  of^     And  '  towards  the  obtaining  of.*     I  think 


JE8SE    MERCER.  309 

all  will  agree  it  must  be  in  these  texts  used  in  one  of 
these  senses.     It  either  must  be  that  believers  are  to 
bfe  baptized  in  order  to  the  obtaining  the  remission  of 
sins,  or  it  is  to  be  performed  on  account  of  the  remis- 
sion of  sins. 

I  take  the  latter  gi'ound  of  construction  as  the  true 
one  in  these  declarations ;  because  the  scripture  as- 
cribes it  to  a  different  cause ;  see  Acts  10  :  43.  in  ref- 
erence to  Christ  crucified,  the  j^rophets  all  gave  wit- 
ness *  that  through  his  name,  whosoever  believeth  in 
him,  shall  receive  remission  of  sinsJ  This  is  conclu- 
sive. For  if  forgiveness  of  sin  is  received  through 
the  name  of  Christ,  by  faith  in  him,  it  can't  he  received 
by  baptism,  nor  any  other  act  of  gospel  obedience. 
A  critical  observance  of  the  text  in  Acts  2  :  38.  will 
show  that  Peter  did  not  intend  to  convey  the  idea  to 
those  convicted,  inquiring  souls,  that  they  on  being 
baptized  should  receive  the  remission  of  their  sins  ; 
for  then  he  would  have  placed  ^receive'  before  the  re- 
mission of  sins,  and  then  it  would  have  read  thus : — 
*  Repent  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  ye  shall  receive  the  re- 
mission of  sins  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost;'  but 
receu'c  being  placeed  bfore  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost^ 
plainly  excludes  the  remission  of  sins  from  the  recep- 
tion ;  and  shows  he  designed  the  forgiveness  of  sins 
to  be  considered  the  great  reason  on  account  of  which 
they  were  to  be  baptized.  I  think  any  one  may  per- 
ceive a  marked  difference  between  Christ  and  the 
Evangelists  in  the  use  of  this  little  word  ^for;^ — 
Chiist  said  to  his  disciples  at  the  supper-table,  (Math. 
26  :  28.)  *  For  tliis  is  my  blood  of  the  New  Testament, 
which  is  shed  for  many  for  the  remission  of  sins.' 
Who  doubts  but  Christ  intended  for  the  obtaining  of 
the  remission  of  sins  1     But  the  Evangelist  and  Peter 


310  MEMOIRS    OP 

use  it  evidently,  in  my  view,  in  the  sense  of,  on  ac- 
count of,  and  shows  that  baptism  is  to  be  received  in 
joyful  regard  to  Christ,  by  whom  we  received  the 
atonement. — Once  more  and  I  close.  Baptism  is  a 
figurative  representation  of  Christ's  death  and  resur- 
rection ybr  the  remission  of  sins,  wherein  the  baptized 
show  their  faith  in  Christ  and  hope  of  salvation 
through  him,  and  must  have  the  remission  of  sins  al- 
ready in  their  joyful  possession ;  and  of  course,  sub- 
mit to  the  ordinance  in  view  of  their  being  forgiven 
all  trespasses,  and  in  hope  of  a  triumphant  resurrec- 
tion with  their  ascended  Saviour,  to  that  inheritance 
which  is  reserved  in  heaven  for  all  those  who  look 
and  wait  for  his  coming." 

A  few  extracts  from  Mr.  Mercer's  shorter  pieces 
that  appeared  from  time  to  time  in  the  Index,  under 
the  editorial  head,  will  exhibit  his  opinions  on  vari- 
ous important  subjects,  and  furnish  a  proper  conclu- 
sion to  this  chapter. 

Justification  and  Sanctif  cation. 

"  1.  Justification  is  an  act  of  God  the  Father  as 
Judge  ;  sanctification  is  by  the  operations  and  influ- 
ences of  the  Holy  Ghost.  2.  Justification  is  opposed 
to  guilt  and  condemnation  ;  sanctification  is  opposed 
to  the  corruption  and  the  pollutions  of  the  heart. 
3.  Justification  is  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ  im- 
puted; sanctification  is  by  the  graces  of  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit implanted.  4.  Justification  gives  a  title  to  heaven ; 
sanctification  fits  and  prepares  for  heaven.  Thus 
Christ  on  us  is  our  justification,  while  Christ  in  us  is 
our  sanctification  and  hope  of  glory." 


JESSE    MERCER.  311 


Free  Agency. 


"  This  term   is  used  by  theological  writers  to  ex- 
press the  state  of  men  as  creatures  vested  -with  power 
every  way  suited  to  yield  obedience  to  the  laws  of 
their   Maker,  while  at   the  same  time  they  were   left 
J'rce,  or  liable  to  '  turn  from  the  holy  commandment 
delivered  unto  them.'     The  woid  agent,  in  this  con- 
nexion,  simply   describes  man   as  capable  of   action, 
and  free  is  used  to  show  that  that  action  was  the  re- 
sult of  no  compulsory  coercion,  but  produced  wholly 
by  the  volition  of  its  agents,  or  that  men  act  accord- 
ing to  the  most  prevailing  disposition  of  their  hearts. 
This  fj-ee  agency  is  that  wliereby  men  are  the  proper 
subjects   of  moral  law ;  bound  to  obey  the  voice  of 
their  Creator,  because  he  gave  them  in  their  creation, 
the  ability  to  do  so,  and  therefore  requires  them  to 
love  him  with  all  their  heart,  soul,  mind  and  strength  ;- 
but  never  coerces  them   to  this  obedience — for  this 
would  be  to  render  their  service  a  matter  of  neces- 
sity and  not  of  choice,  void  of  virtue  and  incapable 
of  giving  him  any  honor.     In  order  that  men's  obe- 
dience might  be  voluntary,  virtuous  and  honoring  to 
their  Creator,  they  must  be  free  to  disobey  if  they 
choose  to  do  so.     'Tis  this  that  renders  them  respon- 
sible for  their  actions — the  subjects  of  praise  or  blame. 
Without  this  they  could  not  be  blessed  in  their  obe- 
dience, nor  condemned  for  their  sin. 

"  The  fact  that  men  have  sinned,  has  no  tendency 
to  alter,  or  change,  or  abate  the  claims  of  their  Crea- 
tor on  them,  or  their  obligations  of  obedience  to  him, 
in  the  least.  He  has  created  them  the  subjects  of 
moral  government,  and  commands  them  accordingly ; 
and  it  is  their  duty  to  obey ;  but  their  foolish  heart 
being  fully  bent  in  them  to    do  evil,  they  will  not. 


312  MExMOlUS    OF 

They  choose  their  own  evil  ways  and  doings,  and  re- 
fuse to  return.  Thei'efore  they  are  without  excuse, 
and  justly  condemned,  and  would  all  perish  in  their 
own  corruption,  if  God  was  not  better  to  them  than 
they  are  to  themselves. 

"  But  God,  in  the  infinite  provisions  of  his  mercy, 
has  purposed  in  Christ  to  employ  such  divine  opera- 
tions and  influences  as  shall,  in  perfect  accordance 
with  \h.e  free  agency  oi  men,  make  his  people  willing 
in  the  day  of  his  power.  It  is  believed  that  all  the 
saving  operations  of  God  in  men,  are  to  bring  them 
to  this  willinomess,  and  so  to  be  saved.  That  God  in 
these  operations,  never  does  any  violence  to  the  will 
of  men,  but  always  seeks  to  change  it  from  its  evil  in- 
clinations, and  so  to  turn  them  to  himself.  The  evi- 
dences of  God's  favor  towards  any  are,  therefore,  not 
to  be  sought  \tl  forcible  restraints,  but  in  the  drawings 
and  sweet  inclinings  of  their  hearts  to  seek  the  Lord, 
and  to  obtain  his  favor.  Nor  are  we  to  think  these 
sweet  drawings  are  the  less  certain^  because  they  do 
not  rise  to  coercion.  The  Lord  who  formed  the 
heart,  knows  best  how  to  govern  it,  and  form  it  anew 
to  love  and  serve  him  with  true  delight." 

Atonement  and  Reconciliation. 

"  While  I  was  at  the  Georgia  Association,  1  re- 
ceived from  a  highly  esteemed  brother,  the  following 
note.  '  My  dear  brother, — In  reading  your  letters  on 
the  atonement,  I  find  on  the  4th  page,  1st  column, 
it  is  called  rcconciHation.  Are  atonement  and  recon- 
ciliation synonymous  expressions  ]  If  so,  I  will  thank 
you  to  remove  a  difficulty  resting  on  my  mind ;  it  is 
this :  the  atonement  was  made  say  eighteen  hundred 
years  ago ;  its  effects  reached  back  to  the   first  real 


JESSE    MERCER,  313 

peiiilciit,  and  foiwaid  to  the  kist.  J.  M.  was  hope- 
fully reconciled  to  God,  say  1787  ;  what  influence  had 
the  atonement  before  this  period  1  If  atonement  and 
reconciliation  are  the  same,  he  nmst  have  been  recon- 
ciled while  his  life  and  heart  gave  abundant  evidence 
that  he  was  unreconciled :  or  in  other  words,  he  was 
reconciled  and  yet  in  rebellion ;  which  to  me  is  ab- 
surd !  You  will  oblige  me  by  removing  this  dilemma.' 
It  may  be  that  other  brethren  are  puzzled  with  this 
dilemma,  and  for  their  sakes  as  well  as  his,  I  request 
you  will  insert  in  the  Star  and  Index,*  the  following 
solution. 

**  Reconciliation  is  the  making  peace  between  par- 
ties at  variance.  God  and  men  are  at  variance,  and 
reconciliation  relates  to  both  parties.  From  God  it 
removes  the  offence  ;  from  men,  sin,  the  cause  of  it. 
The  offence  is  removed  from  God  by  the  death  of  his 
Son — by  the  blood  of  his  cross,  &c.  Sin  is  taken 
away  from  men  by  the  operations  and  influences  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  giving  them  faith  in  that  death  and 
blood.  In  reference  to  God  it  is  atonement;  in  ref- 
erence to  men  it  is  regeneration  and  conversion.  Paul 
uses  the  word  in  both  these  senses  in  one  verse,  Rom. 
5:10.  *  For  if  when  we  were  enemies,  we  were  re- 
conciled to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son  ;  much  more, 
being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved  by  his  life.'  The 
same  idea  is  expressed  in  verse  8  :  *  In  that  while  we 
were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us.'  Now,  as  Christ 
really  died  Jbr  us  eighteen  hundred  years  ago,  and  in 
purpose  from  the  foundation  of  the  world,  reconcilia- 
tion must  have  rested  in  his  mind  coeval  thereto,  and 
so,  while  men  lay  in  sin,  and  were  rebels. 

*  The  paper  was  published  at  Philadelphia  when  the  above  was 
wiiltcu. 


314  MEMOIRS    OF 

"  The  same  may  be  said  of  redemption  and  even  of 
pardon ;  indeed,  pardon  is  of  necessity  some  time 
with  God  before  it  is  received  by  us  :  and  so,  we  may 
be  said  to  be  pardoned,  and  yet  not  pardoned. — I  be- 
lieve that  Gill,  Scott,  Brown,  Doddridge,  Buck,  and 
Henry,  all  agree  in  reconciliation  and  atonement  be- 
ing synonymous,  as  they  relate  to  God.  I  can't  see 
any  other  sense  in  the  texts  I  have  cited.  If  this  is 
correct,  the  doctrine  is  established,  whether  the  *  di- 
lemma' is  removed  or  not." 

Predestination  and  Free  agency. 

"  The  knotty  question — How  predestination  in  God 
can  consist  with  free  agency  in  man  ]  is  more  puzzling 
than  edifying.  We  may  affirm  the  fact,  though  we 
cannot  explain  the  manner ;  for  the  scriptures  plainly 
teach  us  both,  and  *  they  cannot  he  hrokenJ  We  do 
not,  however,  see  any  particular  difficulty  in  harmo- 
nizing them  together,  unless  it  could  be  thought  that 
seduction  or  inducement  could  exonerate  its  subjects 
from  responsibility ;  but  if  that  could  be  allowed,  it 
would  apply  as  well  to  temptation  as  to  divine  influ- 
ence, and  so  render  man  a  mute  ;  neither  the  subject 
of  praise  or  blame.  But  if  man  may  be  tempted,  or 
induced  to  act  in  a  certain  way,  and  yet  be  accounta- 
ble, we  see  not  why  God  might  not  foresee  how  the 
various  temptations  and  trials,  he  would  please  to  suf- 
fer, would  operate  on  man,  and  determine  to  employ 
such  counteracting  operations  and  influences  as  he 
might  see  good  to  effect  a  certain  end,  and  yet  he  re- 
main righteous  and  man  responsible.  For  instance  : 
If  God,  having  created  man  a  rational  and  intelligent 
moral  agent,  should  determine  to  place  him  in  circum- 
stances, and  suffer  him  to  be  tempted  by  all  the  in- 


JESSE    MERCER.  315 

ducements,  the  best  suited  to  test  his  integiity,  would 
he  be  thereby  freed  from  responsibility,  in  case  he  sin- 
ned ?  Certainly  not.  Can  it  be  supposed,  that  such 
a»  case  would  possess  any  difficulty  to  an  infinite  mind^ 
in  perfectly  comprehending  the  results  of  such  a 
trial  1  We  think  not.  Well  then,  should  God  pre- 
determine to  oppose  to  the  sinful  inclinations  of  men, 
such  restraints  and  influences  under  his  providence, 
as  would  overcome  them,  and  disjDose  him  to  choose 
and  adopt  that  course  which  would  terminate  in  tJiat 
end,  which  would,  (all  things  considered,)  be  most  for 
his  glory  and  the  gi'eatest  good  of  the  universe  ;  would 
that  in  any  wise  destroy  man's  free  agency  1  It  surely 
could  not.  Then  it  is  easy  to  see  how  God  could 
consistently  with  the  perfect  accountability  of  man, 
*  declare  the  end  from  the  beginning,  and  from  an- 
cient times  the  things  that  are  not  yet  done,  say- 
ing, My  counsel  shall  stand,  and  I  will  do  all  my 
pleasure  V  " 

Duty  of  Man  and  Purposes  of  God. 

"  We  presume  the  difficulty  of  these  brethren  in 
reconciling  the  purposes  of  God  with  the  duty  of  man, 
arises  from  viewing  duty  only  in  relation  to  its  agents, 
and  as  dependent  alone  on  uninfluenced  human  voli- 
tion. Their  minds  therefore  revolt  at  the  idea  of  rest- 
ing the  purposes  of  God  on  conditions  so  precarious 
and  uncertain.  But  this  difficulty  will  wholly  vanish, 
when  it  is  considered  that  these  agents  and  all  their 
works  are  in  the  hand  of  God,  Eccl.  9  :  1.  and  directed 
in  truth  to  the  ends  designed,  Isa.  61  :  8.  That  God 
has  connected  the  operations  of  his  people  with  the 
designs  of  his  grace,  is  as  certain  as  he  has  command- 
ed them  ;  but  in  appointing  the  duties  of  his  servants 


31G  MEMOIRS    OF 

to  be  the  means  of  subserving  his  purposes,  he  also 
has  appointed  his  Holy  Spirit  to  be  the  superintending 
Lord  over  them,  their  works  and  the  things  to  be  ac- 
complished. But  we  are  not  to  suppose  that  God 
always  makes  knovni  his  designs,  with  the  require- 
ments of  those  duties,  which  he  intends  to  make  instru- 
mental in  the  accomplishment  of  his  purposes,  or  that 
his  people  are  always  conscious  of  the  effects  which 
will  follow  their  obedience.  In  this  respect  they  are 
often  left  in  great  obscurity,  while  Grod  plants  his  foot- 
steps before  them,  in  the  deep  waters,  and  makes 
darkness  his  pavilion  round  about  him  ;  and  they  are 
left  to  be  impelled  on  only  from  those  motives  and 
honest  considerations  which  are  conducive  to  all  holy 
obedience,  arising  from  the  fear,  love  and  authority  of 
Him  who  commands  their  respect.  Thus  Christians 
should  be  diligent  in  the  discharge  of  those  obligations 
which  are  clearly  intimated  from  the  commands  of 
Scripture,  the  indications  of  divine  Providence,  and 
the  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  their  hearts — 
humbly  looking  to  God  for  the  desired  results." 

Conditional  Election. 

"  Mr.  Wesley,  in  his  zeal  to  establish  his  favorite 
scheme  of  conditional  election,  notwithstanding  all  his 
learning  and  skill  as  a  controversialist,  yet  lays  down 
a  scheme  which  fixes  on  the  elect  fcrsonally,  and  se- 
cures their  salvation,  from  eternity  as  absolutely  sure, 
as  the  knowledge  of  God  was  perfect  or  his  faithful- 
ness unchangeable.  He  lays  down  his  position  thus — 
God  from  the  foundation  of  the  world,  knowing  all  men, 
believing  or  tmbelieving,  did  according  to  his  forehnoiv- 
ledge  choose,  or  elect  all  obedient  believers,  as  such,  to 
salvation  ;  and  reprobated  or  forcappointed  all  disobe- 
dient unbelievers  as  such,  lo^.damnation  ;  not  without^ 


JESSE    MERCER.  317 

hut  according  to  his  foreknowledge  of  them  and  all  their 
ivories  ^Yom  the  foundation  of  the  world.  Here  it  will 
be  noticed  that  Mr.  W.  admits  the  all  comprehending 
and  infinite  understanding  of  God,  and  makes  it  the 
base  of  his  position.  According  to  this  perfect  know- 
ledge of  God,  of  all  men  and  their  individual  charac- 
teristics,  they  were  disposed  of  for  eternity,  from  the 
foundation  of  the  word.  Now  we  ask  any  man,  free 
from  prejudice,  that  if  God  foresaw  7ne  as  an  obedient 
believer^  and  elected  me,  as  such,  to  glory,  can  I  fail  to 
attain  to  it  ?  Or  if  7  was  seen,  from  the  foundation  of 
the  world  a  disobedient  unbeliever  and  reprobated,  or 
foreappointed  as  such,  to  damnation,  can  /possibly  es- 
cape it  ?  It  will  be  easily  seen  that  this  scheme  ren- 
ders the  destiny  of  every  man  absolutely  sure  from 
tlie  foundation  of  the  word,  without  the  possibility  of 
a  change,  unless  it  could  be  shown  that  there  had 
been  some  error  in  the  foreknowledge  of  God.  But 
the  worst  feature  in  the  conditional  scheme  is,  that  it 
divests  the  doctrine  of  every  particle  or  vestige  of 
grace.  What  grace  is  there  in  God's  choosing  worthy 
persons  to  glory  ]  Is  there  any  wonder  in  God's 
loving  and  choosing  the  righteous  ?  But  the  astonish- 
ment of  men  and  angels  has  been  called  forth  in  that 
God  loved  us,  and  Christ  died  for  us  while  we  were 
enemies.  In  scripture  the  doctrine  of  election  is  con- 
sidered as  a  matter  of  amazing  gratitude  and  thanks- 
giving. See  Ephe.  1  :  3,  4.  2  Thcss.  2  :  13.  1  Peter 
1  :  3.  and  whoever  holds  or  feels  towards  it  in  any 
other  light,  holds  it  not  in  accordance  to  scripture." 

Persons  are  someti?}ics  improjperly  accused  of  Armi- 

nianism. 
"  Although  Mr.  Fuller  writes  much  on  the  respon- 
sibilities   and    duties  of  men  to    believe  the   gospel 


318  MEMoms  ot 

when  it  is  preached  to  them,  yet  he  argues  fully,  the 
total  depravity  of  fallen  men,  and  that  they  can  be 
saved  only  by  sovereign  grace,  through  the  application 
of  the  atonement,  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"  Some  expressions,  dropped  by  Judson  and  other 
missionaries,  have  been  caught  up,  and  construed 
into  Arminianisfn :  such  as,  if  Christians  had  done 
their  duty,  what  multitudes  of  heathen  might  have  been 
saved  !  Or,  what  multitudes  of  heathen  are  perishing 
every  day  ^  for  lack  of  that  knowledge,  which  Christians 
have  failed  to  propagate  among  them  !  These  and  all 
similar  expressions,  which  connect  salvation  with  the 
use  of  means,  are  to  be  understood  in  the  light  of 
oneans,  and  no  further.  And  in  that  light  they  ai'e 
perfectly  scriptural.  In  Matt.  11  :  20 — 24.  our  Lord 
upbraids  the  hard  hearted  and  impious  Jews,  be- 
cause they  repented  not  at  his  mighty  works ;  and 
declared  that  if  they  had  been  done  in  Tyre  and  Sidon, 
and  in  Sodom,  they  would  have  repented  long  ago, 
and  remained  to  that  day.  Again,  he  said  to  those 
who  persecuted,  and  would  have  killed  him,  John 
5  :  34.  *  These  things  I  say,  that  ye  might  be  saved.' 
Also  20  :  31.  '  But  these  things  are  written,  that  ye 
might  believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God  ; 
and  that  believing  ye  might  have  life  through  his 
name.'  Paul  declares  to  the  Gentiles  that  the  design 
of  what  he  said,  Rom.  11  :  14.  was  that — '  If  by  any 
means  he  might  provoke  to  emulation,  them  which 
are  my  flesh,  and  might  save  some  of  them.'  And  in 
1  Cor.  9  :  19 — 22.  he  says  :  *  I  made  myself  servant 
unto  all,  that  I  might  gain  the  more.'  And  says  he, 
*  I  am  made  all  things  to  all  men,  that  I  might  by  all 
means  save  some.'  And  he  even  expresses  the  same 
connexion  between  his  efforts,  and  the  salvation  of  the 
elect  in  2  Tim.  2:10.  *  Therefore,  I  endure  all  things 


JESSE    MERCER.  319 

for  the  elect's  sake,  that  they  may  also  obtain  the  sal- 
vation which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  with  eternal  glory.' 
If  then,  the  missionaries  in  the  sentiments  above  were 
Arminians,  then  were  Christ  and  Paul  Arminians !  ! 

"  But  we  presume,  the  whole  complaint  springs  out 
of  a  mistaken  notion  of  what  Arminianism  is.  Or 
from  a  wish  to  stigmatize  whatever  is  opposed  to  their 
antinomian  notions. 

"  Arminianism  rightly  understood,  is  comprehensi- 
bly expressed  in  universal  provision,  made  in  Christ 
for  the  salvation  of  all  men  ;  and  a  coiTesponding 
ability  in  man  to  accept  the  offered  mercy  and  live  by 
it.  Or,  if  we  mistake  not,  as  expressed  by  Arminius 
himself,  that  it  consists  in  '  All  free  grace  in  God,  and 
all  free  \n\\\.\\\  man.'  The  doctrine  inculcates,  that 
Christ  as  the  second  Adam,  represented  all  mankind^ 
and  restored  all  to  a  state  of  initial  salvation.  So  that 
all  men  are  bom  with  a  seed  of  grace  in  them ;  and 
stand  justified  free  from  the  condemnation  of  Adam's 
sin.  That  God  freely  dispenses  his  calls  and  invita- 
tions to  all,  and  that  his  Spirit  operates  on  all — but  on 
none  irresistibly  ;  so  that  all  are  capable  at  all  times 
to  resist  the  grace  and  be  lost;  or  cherish  the  influ- 
ence, and  be  saved. 

**  But  appeals  to  men,  in  regard  to  their  danger  or 
duty,  must  not  be  considered  inconsistent,  either  with 
their  condition  in  sin,  or  the  eternal  and  unchangeable 
purposes  of  God  ;  because  the  scriptures  abound  with 
them.  Divine  purposes  form  no  rule  for  human  ac- 
tion. They  are  rather  the  rule  of  the  divine  opera- 
tion. The  holy  commandment  is  the  rule  for  the  obe- 
dience of  men.  And  all  men  are  bound  to  obey  God, 
in  all  his  dispensations  of  law  or  gospel.  They  who 
have  right  notions  of  God's  purposes  of  grace  and 
men's  responsibilities,  will  never  confound  them  to- 


320  MEMOIRS  OP 

gether.  All  duties,  whether  yielded  to  command, 
invitation  or  exhortation,  must  be  considered  only  as 
duties,  and  done  as  necessary  to  some  usefulness,  and 
for  the  honor  of  God.  Salvation  always  comes  from 
God,  through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Christ,  accord- 
ing to  the  riches  of  his  grace.  But  it  may  be  received 
in  the  way  of  duty.  It  is  God's  way,  first  to  call  men 
to  repentance  which  issues  in  obedience  ;  and  then  to 
faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  that  they  may  be  saved 
through'  him.  Therefore,  the  scriptures  abound  in 
exhortations,  invitations,  and  even  commands  to  re- 
pentance and  faith.  It  is  right  then  that  men  should 
be  taught  their  obligations  to  God,  and  exhorted,  and 
urged,  and  even  expostulated  with,  that  they  turn  from 
the  evil  of  their  ways,  and  seek  the  Lord  while  he 
may  be  found,  and  call  upon  him  while  he  is  near ; 
lest  they  sink  from  the  dark  mountains  of  their  error, 
and  perish  for  ever.  All  this,  however,  must  be  kept 
distinctly  within  the  sphere  of  means  and  duty ;  or 
only  as  ways  in  which  the  Lord  may  be  found,  in  iclwin 
alone  is  all  grace.  If  any  man  has  ever  inculcated  the 
efficiency  of  means  and  instruments  in  themselves  con- 
sidered, he  is  worse  than  an  Arminian.  The  effort- 
brethren,  so  far  as  we  are  acquainted  with  them,  hold 
with  the  apostle,  that  while  they  '  plant  and  water,' 
it  is  God  alone  '  that  giveth  the  increase.'  They  feel 
it  to  be  their  duty  to  do  their  endeavor  to  fulfil  the 
ministry  which  God  7ias  entrusted  to  them,  but  they 
look  to  him  for  all  their  successes.  To  God,  there- 
fore, be  all  the  Glory." 

For  w7iom  are  the  invitations  of  the  Gospel  particu- 
larly intended  ? 

"  Although  the  invitations  of  the  gospel  are  full  and 
free,  answering  to  evcrv  case  of  distress,  which  con- 


JESSE    MERCER.  321 

vinced  sinners  can  feel  or  the  fulness  of  Christ  relieve; 
yet  we  know  of  no  command  which  requires  a  minis- 
ter of  Christ,  or  even  justifies  him,  in  inviting  thought- 
less sinners  to  come  to  him  for  salvation.     And  why 
should  he  1     They  neither  know  nor  feel  their  need 
of  the  blessings  he  has  to  bestow.     It  appears  to  us 
the  first  duty  of  a  gospel  minister  is  to  teach  men 
the  ruined  state  they  are   in   by  reason   of  sin,  and 
the  provisions    of   mercy    God    has    made    for    their 
recovery  in  Christ ;   then  to  warn  them  of  their  dan- 
ger, then  after  that  to  call  them  to  repentance  and 
faith,  and    then    last    of  all    to  invite  the  perishing, 
helpless  and  dying  to  come  to  Christ  and  live.     The 
invitations  of  the  gospel  are  predicated  on  some  cir- 
cumstance of  distress,  which  the  blessings  of  salva- 
tion   are    suited    to    remedy.      The    most    free    and 
general  invitation  is,   '  And  whosoever  will,  let  him 
take  of  the  water  of  life  freely.'     But  we  presume, 
all  will  admit  this  will  is  desire^  and  even  involves 
thirst  for  these  waters,  with  anxious  fears  of  being 
denied,  else  why  invited  to  take  them  freely.    Should 
it  be  said  the  thirsty  in  the  50th  of  Isaiah,  evidently 
intend  those  who    are  athirst  for    carnal  or  worldly 
pleasures — then  we  ask,  is    there    any  thing   in   the 
waters  of  life  to  satiate  this  sinful  desire — to  allay 
this  hurning  thirst   for  sensual  gratifications  1      We 
answer  no  :  the  causes  of  this  sinful  thirst  must  be 
removed  by  soul-stirring  convictions,  and  the  place 
filled  witli    •  hunger    and    thirst   after  righteousness.' 
Aud  then,  and  not  till  then,  the  invitations  will  apply. 
"  Should  any  inquire  why  sinners  are  preached  to 
at  all,   if  they   be  *  hlmd,  deaf  dumb  V     We  reply, 
because,  God  has  commanded  us  to  irreach   unto  the 
people.      And  we   should   obey  as   did  the  prophet, 
when  commanded  to    prophesy  to  the  dry  hones  m 

15 


322  MEMoras  OF 

the  valley.  And  rationally,  because  they  are  alive 
in  all  that  renders  them  accountable  beings ;  but 
dead  in  all  that  fits  them  for  acceptable,  evangelical 
obedience.  And  therefore  theirs  must  be  a  guilty 
hlindness,  deafness  and  death,  about  which  they  ought 
to  be  preached  to^ 

The  doctrines  of  Grace  favorable  to  Godliness, 

*'  The  doctrine  of  divine  grace,  according  to  eter- 
nal purpose,  which  God  purposed  in  Christ  Jesus 
before  the  world  began,  is  a  doctrine  according  to 
godliness  ;  and  when  rightly  held  and  taught,  tends 
to  promote  comfort,  zeal,  and  perseverance  in  all 
holy  obedience,  from  a  sense  of  gratitude  ;  and  in 
nowise  interferes  with  the  obligations  and  responsibil- 
ities of  men  ;  but  when  made  a  party  question,  and  run 
out  into  extremes,  (to  which  controversy  leads,)  it  be- 
comes a  snare  to  many  souls — a  nurse  of  inaction, 
and  a  conductor  to  the  ruins  of  Antinomianism.  The 
opposite  extreme  should  as  assiduously  be  guarded 
against. — Dwelling  on  practical  religion,  and  insist- 
ins"  on  the  duties  and  oblig^ations  of  men,  without 
keeping  in  constant  view  their  moral  and  guilty  dis- 
ability, and  the  sovereignty  of  God  in  affording  salva- 
tion to  them,  as  unworthy,  helpless  sinners,  as  directly 
tends  to  the  hogs  of  Arminianism.  The  truth  of  the 
gospel,  rightly  held  and  taught,  is  that  which  turns 
men  from  darkness  to  light,  and  the  power  of  sin 
to  serve  the  living  God,  by  faith  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord." 

Sincerity. 

"Sincerity  may  be  defined,  the  exact  agreement  of 
a  man's  conduct,  with  the  feelings  and  designs  of  his 
heart.    If  then  hatred  to  God  and  man  cannot  be  justi- 


iESSE    MERCER.  323 

6ed,  nor  even  excused  because  it  is  sincere;  the  sincere 
belief  of  error  cannot  apologize  for  its  votaries,  in  its 
practice.  It  is  not  sincerity,  but  truth,  which  can 
justify  any  one  in  his  faith  or  practice.  If  otherwise, 
all  kinds  and  fomis  of  religion  would  be  equalized. 
For  doubtless  there  are  sincere  Jews  and  Pagans, 
Infidels  and  Idolaters,  as  well  as  Christians.  But 
who  will  ever  excuse  Jews,  Pagans,  Infidels,  Idolaters 
or  Chiistian  eri'orists,  because  they  are  sincere  ?  None ! 
we  presume.  But  nevertheless,  sincerity  is  an  indis- 
pensable trait  of  a  godly  man's  heart.  It  is  the  true 
and  genuine  characteristic  of  a  real  christian,  and 
which  distinguishes  him  from,  and  opposes  him  to  a 
hypocrite.  The  true  christian  therefore,  sincerely  be- 
lieves the  truth,  and  does  it ;  because  it  is  the  truth, 
and  not  because  it  suits  his  convenience,  or  fosters 
either  his  pride  or  pleasure." 

SuhtJiissioji  to  God,  not  always  followed  with  imintdiate 

comfort. 

"  And  we  inquire,  if  there  is  not  in  christian  ex- 
perience a  crisis  beyond  which  there  is  no  opposition 
to  God's  justice  or  his  mercy,  and  yet  there  is  no 
comfort  and  peace  in  believing]  But  on  the  contrary, 
a  mighty  struggle,  an  awful  suspense  !  This  struggle 
is  not  with  God  to  induce  him  to  pardon  sins — no 
enlightened  sinner  does  that — but  he  is  in  strife  in 
himself,  to  know  whether  God  will,  or  even  can  par- 
don him.  What  does  the  Saviour  mean  when  he 
says  strive  to  enter  in  ?  does  he  not,  so  far  as  prayer 
is  concerned,  mean  the  importunity  he  recommends, 
and  what  is  that  but  a  mighty  struggle  at  the  throne 
of  grace]  Christ  says  that  God  bears  long  with  his 
own  elect  which  cry  unto  him  day  and  night.  Is  it 
likely  they  at  such  times  hnve  no  strus:gling  to  enter 


324  SiEivtoiRS  or 

into  rest  ]  We  are  of  opinion  that  there  is  in  thd 
dispensation  of  God's  grace  to  men,  a  season  in  which 
after  they  are  convinced  and  humbled,  that  they  are 
left  to  seek,  and  mourn,  and  wait  before  God,  to 
obtain  his  pardoning  mercy,  and  that  during  this  time 
they  have  many  fears  and  tremblings,  and  we  may 
say  many  stnigglin^s  lest  they  should  be  finally  cast 
off!" 

Comment  on  Rom.  8  :  19,  20,  21  = 

"  This  is  reckoned  among  Commentators,  one  of 
the  most  difficult  passages  in  the  epistle,  to  under- 
stand and  explain  satisfactorily.  The  reason,  we 
think,  is  that  they  mostly  adopt  a  plan  of  constiniction, 
which  is  wide  of  the  apostle's  theme  of  discourse. 
They  are  very  much  divided,  and  it  does  not  appear 
that  they  have  yet  come  to  any  agreeraent  as  to  what 
is  the  true  meaning.  We  have  consulted  all  the  ex- 
positions we  have  at  command,  and  cannot  find  any 
w\x\\  which  we  can  be  satisfied. — Some  make  *  the 
creature'  to  mean  the  hrtite  creature,  others  the  heathen 
creature,  others  the  inanimate  creature,  and  others  the 
creation.  But  these  meanings  all  represent  the  apostle^ 
as  suddenly  breaking  off  from  a  most  interesting  sub- 
ject, to  a  different  one  without  any  just  cause  ;  and 
besides,  we  cannot  see  the  propriety  of  attributing  te> 
these  the  strong  expressions  of  desire  and  hope  as- 
ciibed  to  the  creature  by  the  apostle.  We  shall 
therefore  give  our  own  opinion  and  leave  our  friends 
to  make  their  own. 

"  As  the  apostle  assigns  what  is  contained  in  these 
verses,  as  a  reason  for  what  he  had  said  in  verses  17 
and  18,  we  think  it  best  to  understand  him  to  intend 
by  the  creature,  the  child  of  God.  The  new  creature 
in  Christ  Jesus.    (See  2  Cor.  5  :  17.  where  the  same 


JESSE    MERCER.  326 

Greek  word  is  used  for  creature.)  Paul  having  come 
to  the  conclusion  that  the  sufferings  endured  by  chris- 
tians in  the  present  world,  were  not  worthy  to  be  com- 
pared with  the  glory  that  would  be  revealed  in  them, 
assigns  as  a  reason  for  this  conclusion,  that  tli?e  earnest 
expectation  of  the  child  of  God,  waited  for  this  glorious 
reversion  ;  and  though  now,  for  a  season,  it  might  be 
needful  for  him  to  suffer  the  afllictions  which  his  hea- 
venly Father  had  appointed  to  him  as  trial,  or  chas- 
tisement, yet  he  was  taught  to  believe  that  he 
should  be  delivered  from  this  state  of  bondage  into 
the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God  in  light.  Th« 
verses  may  be  thus  paraphrased.  For  the  earnest  ex- 
pectation of  the  child  of  God  waitetli  for  the  time 
when  all  the  children  of  God  will-  be  manifested  in 
their  true  character.  For  he  was  made  subject  to 
vanity,  or  the  state  of  suffering  in  which  he  remains, 
not  by  his  own  will  or  desire,  but  because  it  is  the 
will  of  his  Father  in  heaven,  that  he  should  continue 
in  this  transitory  state  of  disappointment  and  suffer- 
ings. But  in  doing  this,  hope  has  been  given  him  as 
an  anchor  to  his  soul,  sure  and  steadfast,  to  enable 
iiim  to  endure  his  trials  till  his  redemption  come. 
And  he  shall  be  delivered  from  this  bondage  of  cor- 
ruption into  the  glorious  liberty  of  all  the  children  of 
God  in  the  heavenly  kingdom.  And  to  encourage 
the  brethren  to  endure  their  sufferings  with  patience, 
the  Apostle  alleges,  as  a  known  fact,  that  all  the  new 
creation^  or  people  of  God  in  the  past  ages,  groaned 
and  travailed  in  pain  for  this  deliverance ;  and  not 
only  those  who  had  lived  in  the  more  dark  dispensa- 
tion, but  even  we,  the  apostles,  who  have  received  the 
richer  degree  of  the  spirit  of  adoption,  groan  and  wait 
for  the  redemption  of  our  body.  Hence  tlie  apostle 
•would  have  his  brethren  rather  to  count  it  all  joy 


326  ME5IOIRS    OF 

when  they  fell  into  many  temptations  and  trials,  know- 
ing *  that  tribulation  worketh  patience  ;  and  patience 
experience,  and  experience  hope,  and  hope  maketh 
not  ashamed,  because  the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad 
in  our  hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  unto 

us  r' 

Trinitarian  arguments  for  Jolm  5  :   17.  and  on. 

"  To  understand  the  paradoxes  of  Scripture  in 
reference  to  Christy  his  twofold  state,  or  complex  cha- 
racter, as  so'n  of  man  and  son  of  God  must  be  kept 
constantly  in  view.  Without  this  many  texts  are  per- 
fectly inexplicable.  As  son  of  vian,  in  which  exists 
his  mediatorship^  he  is  a  servant,  obeys,  suffers,  prays,, 
and  dies  !  In  this  charaeter  he  declares  bimseif  to  be 
inferior  to  the  Father. 

"^As  So7i  of  God^  he  thinks  it  no  robbery  to  be 
equal  with  God,  is  the  express  image  of  his  person, 
and  the  very  brightness  of  his  glory,  and  affirms  him- 
self to  be  one  with  the  Father. 

"  Unitarians  endeavor  to  establish  the  creatureship 
of  Christ,  in  order  to  destroy  his  godhead.  A  man 
would  argue  just  as  conclusively,  who,  on  proving 
man  to  be  a  frail  and  dying  mortal,  would  triumph- 
antly affirm  that  he  was  not  immortal.  But  to  the 
point  in  question.  Our  Lord  had  declared  himself  to 
be  the  Son  of  God  in  such  a  manner  as  made  the 
Jews  charge  him  with  blasphemy,  in  making  himself 
equal  with  God.  In  all  that  Christ  replies  to  this 
charge,  his  essential^  indivisible  and  co-existent  union 
with  his  Father  is  asserted.  In  any  other  view  of  the 
divine  Personalities  they  could  work  separately.  If 
Christ  was  a  creature  he  could  act  without  his  Father, 
as  angels  and  men  have  done  in  committing  sin.  But 
as  he  is  one  of  a  co-ordinate   and  inseparable  exists 


JEtiSE     MERCEK.  ii'^'i 

ence  be  cannot  work  of  himself  or  alone.  iSo  when 
the  Fatlier  works  he  also  works.  For  what  things 
soever  the  Father  doeth,  these  also  doeth  the  Son 
likewise.  This  is  not  imitation,  for  then  there  would 
bo  a  double  set  of  works,  but  it  is  the  work  of  indi- 
visible unity.  It  is  therefore  that  the  Son  is  entitled 
to  the  same  degree  of  honor  with  the  Father ;  which 
if  he  be  not  God,  ts  idolatry.  Now  whatever  is  said 
to  be  given  to  him,  is  *  because  he  is  the  Son  of  Man,* 
In  this  sense  all  is  communicated  and  derived. 

"  It  is  hoped  the  above  may  sei-ve  as  a  clew  to 
direct  the  thoughts  of  those  bewildered,  in  the  intri- 
cacies of  this  very  mysterious  doctrine.  Our  advice 
to  all  is  to  build  their  faith  on  the  plain^  and  not  the 
obscure  portions  of  Scripture.  On  the  rock  of  divine 
declaration,  and  not  on  the  sand  oihuvian  conjecture." 

The  true  Christian  and  deceived  souL 

"  Many  a  sincere  child  of  God  and  lover  of  Chiist 
has  inquired  with  anxious  solicitude,  under  conscious 
defects  and  short-comings,  **  can  I  be  a  christian  1 
Surely  I  must  he  a  deceived  soul  /'  And  one  has  lately 
asked  us  with  earnest  concern,  *  what  are  the  exer- 
cises of  a  real  christian,  and  some  of  the  most  striking 
marks  by  which  he  may  be  distinguished  from  a  de- 
ceived soul .?' 

"  We  now  in  compliance  with  the  request  thus  ear- 
nestly made,  will  endeavor  to  place  a  few  of  the  ex- 
ercises and  most  obvious  marks  of  a  tiTie  christian  in 
contrast  with  those  of  a  deceived  soul ;  for  the  benefit 
of  those  who  have  little  faith  and  tender  consciences. 

"  1.  A  christian  is  a  believer  in  Christ,  whose  sole 
dependence   for  salvation  is  in  Him ;  and  who,  from 


328  MEMOIRS    OF 

a  sincere  regard  for  his  person  and  honor,  is  endeav- 
oring to  follow  his  precepts  and  examples. 

"  A  deceived  soul,  while  he  may  admit  that  Christ 
Jesus  is  the  procuring  cause  of  salvation  for  the  hu- 
man race,  and  that  it  originated  all  in  grace,  yet  does 
not  wholiy  trust  in  him,  nor  on  divine  grace,  for  that 
salvation,  but  in  something  else,  either  in,  or  done  by 
himself,  or  by  somebody  else  for  him ;  and  he  is  not 
careful  to  follow  Christ  as  his  Lord  and  Master,  but 
only  as  he  may  think  it  necessary  for  his  own  happi- 
ness and  final  safe  arrival  in  heaven. 

"  2.  A  christian  loves  God.  1  John  4  :  7.  *  Every 
one  that  loveth  is  horn  of  God.'  Which  may  be 
known  by  an  exercise  of  holy  and  reverend  fear  of 
him,  leading  to  eschew  evil  and  do  good  from  a  pious 
and  devout  regard  to  his  honor. 

"  A  deceived  soul  does  not  love  God,  only  in  so  far 
as  he  thinks  he  sees  something  in  him,  which  has  a  di- 
rect bearing  on  his  own  happiness,  and  enables  him  to 
cherish  his  hopes  of  salvation  founded  on  his  own  im- 
aginary goodness ;  he  has  no  fear  of  offending  G  od, 
except  as  he  supposes  his  safety  is  concerned. 

"  3.  A  christian  loves  his  fellow-professors,  just  in 
that  proportion  in  which  they  give  evidence  that  they 
are  born  of  God. — 1  John  3  :  14.  '  We  know  that 
we  have  passed  from  death  unto  life,  because  we  love 
the  brethren.'  The  motive  of  this  love  is  in  the  love 
of  God  their  heavenly  Father,  as  laid  down  in  5  :  1,2. 
*  Every  one  that  loveth  him  that  begat,  loveth  him  also 
that  is  begotten  of  him.  By  this  we  know  that  we 
love  the  children  of  God,  when  we  love  God  and 
keep  his  commandments.'  So  that  the  love  a  christian 
has  to  professors  of  Christianity,  marks  him  to  be  a 
child  of  God,  just  so  far  as  it  springs  from  the  love 


JXrSSE   MLIICER.  329 

ne  has  to  God,  which  is  evident  from  its  issuing  in  a 
sincere  endeavor  to  keep  his  commandments. 

"  A  deceived  soul  loves  professors  of  religion  either 
nominally ,  without  distinction,  because  it  is  counted 
liberal  and  popular,  and  is  highly  comrnended  among 
men;  or  denominationally,  because  they  are  of  his 
own  sect  or  party,  or  because  they  hold  in  matters  of 
religion  precisely  as  he  does. — His  motives  for  the 
love  of  the  brethren,  are  never  drawn  from  so  remote 
Ti  source  as  the  love  of  God  and  the  keeping  of  his 
•commandments. 

**  4.  A  christian  has  a  knovs^ledge  of  himself,  which 
at  once  distresses  and  humbles  him.  He  views  \\vn\- 
se\? ivithout  Christ,  totally  depraved,  Rom.  7  :  14.  IS. 
His  heart  is  a  sink  of  sin  ;  Jer.  17  :  9.  He  knows  its 
plague,  1  Kings  8  :  38.  and  bitterness,  Prov.  14  :  10. 
He  often  reproaches  himself  as  vile  and  unworthy  ; 
and  the  greater  his  discoveries  are  of  fne  holiness  and 
greatness  of  God,  the  more  he  abhors  himself  in  dust 
and  ashes ;  Job  42  :  5,  6.  Prov.  30  :  2,  3.  Isa.  6  :  5. 
He  is  often  disappointed  in  his  fondest  hopes  and  an- 
ticipations in  happiness  and  success  in  duty ;  Rom. 
7  :  15.  to  the  end  of  the  chapter,  compared,  with  Gai. 
5  :  17.  He  is  also  exposed  to  many  and  fiery  temp- 
tations ;  1  Peter  1  :  6.  4.  12  :  13.  But  he  rejoices 
in  hope  of  deliverance.  Ps.  34  :  19,  20.  Rom.  8  : 
18—25. 

■"  A  deceived  soul  trusts  in  himself  that  he  is  right- 
eous ;  Luke  18  :  9.  Puts  dependence  in  his  own 
heart,  or  in  man,  or  some  set  of  men ;  Prov.  28  :  26. 
Jer.  17  :  5.  Ezek.  13  :  6.  And  is  not  in  trouble  as 
true  believers  are ;  Ps.  73  :  5. 

"  Deception  does  not  consist  so  mnch  in  eiToneous 
exercises  and  practice  in  religion,  as  in  a  misguided 
dependence  for  salvation,  and  selfish  motives  in  regard 

15* 


330  MEMOIKS    Of 

to  the  sei'vice  of  God.  The  dcceiced  soul  cannot  love 
Christ  for  any  intrinsic  value,  or  supreme  excellence 
he  sees  in  him^  and  therefore  cannot  tiiist  to  his  right- 
eousness for  justification,  but  chooses  to  depend  on 
his  own  inward  holiness^  and  to  poise  hin^self  on  hi& 
own  good  frames  and  feelings.  But  true  and  vital 
piety  consists  not  so  much  in  frames  and  feelings  which 
may  be  had,  as  in  a  well  grounded  dependence  on 
(^lirist  for  acceptance  with  God,  and  a  deep  rooted 
disposition  of  heart  exercised  towards  God  in  rever- 
ence and  godly  fear.  The  child  of  God  loves  Christ 
supremely,  and  can  tinist  his  righteousness  and  noth- 
ing else,  for  justification  with  God.  He  can  have  no 
confidence  in  himself,  for  in  him  (that  is  in  his  flesh) 
lie  knows  dwells  no  good  thing.  Phil.  3  :  3.  Rom, 
7  :  18. 

"'But,  brother  Editor,  I  thought,  should  I  ever  be 
a  christian,  I  would  be  a  holy  one,  but  have  been  en- 
tirely disappointed — I  fear  instead  of  growth  in  grace, 
my  iilc  is  retrograde.  I  perfonu  no  duty  as  I  ought. 
My  attempts  to  pray  are  often  with  a  mind  so  void  of 
feeling,  so  wandering,  so  little  impressed  with  a  sense 
of  my  wants  or  necessities,  that  were  I  to  approach 
an  earthly  judge  in  the  same  7nanner,  I  know  he  would 
spurn  me  from  his  presence.' — Well  be  this  all  true, 
and  why  lament  it,  if  not  a  christian  1  'Tis  a  mercy 
that  christians  know  their  errors,  and  mourn  over 
them,  and  are  humbled  on  account  of  them.  Ps.  19  : 
12 — 14.  Lam.  3  :  19,  20,  We  cannot  close  this  ar- 
ticle better  than  in  the  words  of  the  excellent  Newton. 

" '  If  I  love,  why  am  I  thus? 
Why  this  dull  and  lifeless  frame  ? 
Hardly,  sure,  can  they  be  worse, 
Who  have  never  heard  his  name  ! 
Could  my  heart  so  hard  remain^ 


iLSSE    MLUCEK.  33 i 

t*ray'r  a  task  and  burden  prove, 
Every  trifle  give  me  pain, 
If  I  knew  a  Saviour's  love? 
When  1  turn  my  eyes  wiiliin, 
All  is  dark,  and  vain,  and  vvild^ 
Fill'd  with  unbelief  and  sin, 
Can  I  deem  myself  a  child  .' 
If  I  pray,  or  hc«r,  or  read, 
Sin  is  mixM  in  all  I  do; 
You  that  love  the  Lord  indeed, 
Tell  me,  is  it  thus  with  you  ? 
Yet  I  mourn  my  stubborn  will, 
Find  my  sin  a  grief  and  thrall  ' 
Should  I  grieve  for  what  I  feel, 

If  I  did  not  love  at  all  ?  

Could  I  joy  the  saints  to  meet, 
Choose  the  ways  I  once  abhorred, 
Find,  at  times,  the  promise  sweet, 
If  I  did  not  love  the  Lord/ 
Lonl,  decide  this  doubtful  ca.-'e  I 
Thou  who  art  thy  people's  sun, 
Shine  upon  thy  work  of  grace, 
If  it  be  indeed  begun  ! 
Let  me  love  thee  more  and  more, 
If  I  love  at  all,  I  }>ray ; 
If  I  have  not  lovM  before, 
Help  mo  to  begin  to-day!'  " 

The  following  is  a  connected  list  of  the  piinripal  writings  of  Mr. 
Mercer. 

1.  Circular  Letter  of  Ga.  Association,  1801.  2.  Do  do  on  Dis- 
cipline, 1806.  3.  Do.  do.  Invalidity  of  Pedobaptist  Administration 
of  Ordinances,  18IL  4.  Do.  do.  Various  Christian  Duties  urged, 
1816-  5.  Funeral  Discourse  on  tho  death  of  Gov.  Rabun,  1819; 
6.  Circular  of  Ga.  Assoc.  Unity  and  Dependence  of  the  Churches, 
1822.  7.  Exposition  of  the  fast  17  verses  in  12th  eh.  Rev.  1825. 
8.  Dissertation  on  the  Prerequisites  to  Oidination,  1829.  9.  Scrip* 
tural  Meaning  of  Ordination,  1830.  10.  Ten  Letters  on  the  Atone- 
ment, 1830.    11.  Circular  Letter  of  the  B.ip.  State  Convention,  1831. 

12.  Resemblances  and  DitVorcnces  between  Chuich  authority,  and 
that  of  an  Association,    1833.     13.  Essay   on   the  Lord's   Supper, 

lii33.     14.  Fducation  Sermon — Knowledge  indispensable  to  a  Min- 


332  MEMOIRS    OP 

ister  of  God,  1834.  15.  History  of  the  Georgia  Association,  1836, 
16.  Review  of  a  certain  Report  on  Church  and  Associational  Dif- 
ficulties, 1837.  17.  Sermon  on  the  Importance  of  Ministerial  Un- 
ion, 1838.  18.  Sermon  on  the  Excellency  of  the  Knowledge  of 
Christ,  1839.  19.  Essay — The  Cause  of  Missionary  Societies,  the 
Cause  of  God,    1839.     20.    Essay    on  Forgiveness   of  Sins,    1841. 

21.  Hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the  Churches,  3  numbers,  1841 

22.  A  Manuscript  Sermon  on  Baptism,  founded  on  Acts  10  :  47. 

23.  Manuscript  Sermon  on  Missions,  from  Matt.  28  :  19. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Narrative  of  Mr.  Mercer's  Life  resumed. — Letter  to  Mrs.  R. — Se- 
vere indisposition. — Address  to  patrons  of  the  Index. — Letter  to 
the  Georgia  Association. — -Letter  to  Mrs.  R. — To  Heman  Lin- 
coln.— Death  of  Mrs.  Mercer. — Letter  to  Mr.  M. —  Letter  of 
Mr.  Curtis  to  Mr.  Mercer. — Mr  Mercer's  reply. — "  Hear  what 
the  Spirit  saith  to  the  Churclies,"  3  Nos. — His  feelings  in  view  of 
his  approaching  end. 

We  now  return  to  something  like  a  more  connected 
narrative,  for  the  pui'pose  of  giving  a  hasty  sketch  of 
the  declining  days  of  Mr.  Mercer.  This  account  may 
be  introduced  very  appropriately  by  a  letter  to  an  es- 
teemed sister  in  the  Lord,  with  whom  he  kept  up  an 
occasional  correspondence  for  many  years.  It  speaks 
of  increasing  infirmities. 

TO    MRS.    R. 

"  Washington,  March  27,  1839. 

*'  Dear  Sister  Dolly, 

"  I  acknowledge  my  fault  in  not  replying  to  your 
former  letter.  I  am  too  apt  to  procrastinate  till  T  for- 
get :  pardon  my  neglects. 


JESSE    MERCER.  333 

"  As  well  as  I  can  recollect,  you  requested  in  your 
former  letter,  that  your  mairying  should  make  no  dif- 
ference to  us.  I  considered  that  you  were  free  to 
maiTy  whom  you  chose,  and  of  course  we  ought  to 
be  content;  so  you  need  give  yourself  no  further  con- 
cern about  that.  In  your  last  you  speak  of  old  times. 
Truly  I  often  throw  my  thoughts  back  on  days  gone 
by,  and  many  recollections  pour  in  upon  my  mind, 
rather  with  a  mournful  pleasure.  Oft  have  I  thought 
of  the  days  of  your  conviction.  That  meeting  we  had 
at  Brown's  Meetinof-house — O  what  davs  those  were  ! 
If  it  should  come  in  my  convenience,  it  would  be  as 
much  as  ever  my  joy  to  call  and  stay  with  you.  But 
my  going  abroad  has  become  pretty  much  a  matter  of 
necessity — of  business,  and  I  go  where  I  must. 

"  I  think  I  can  say  with  you  that  I  am  as  ever  de- 
termined to  he  and  live  for  God  ;  but  O  my  infirmi- 
ties seem  to  increase  upon  me,  and  I  am  like  Sam- 
son when  he  had  lost  his  strength.  I  cannot  do  as 
aforetime,  but  when  I  would  do  good,  evil  is  present 
with  me.  I  feel  more  and  more  the  need  of  divine 
help.  I  always  felt  as  is  expressed  by  Oliver  Hart 
in  one  of  his  hymns. 

*  Some  long  repent  and  late  believe, 
But  when  their  sins'  forgiveni 
A  clearer  pnssport  they  receive, 
And  walk  wiih  joy  to  heaven. 

Their  pardon  some  receive  at  first, 

And  then,  compelled  to  fight, 
They  feel  their  latter  stages  worst, 

And  travel  much  by  night.' 

"  I  should  have  said  I  always  felt  the  spirit  of  this 
last  verse,  and  often  called  it  mine.  But  I  now  find 
it  still  more  and  more  appropriate.     But  still  I  do 


;j3i  MEMOIRS    OF 

iiot  despair.     jMy  motto  is,  trust  in  the  Lord  and  go 
fortcardr 

Though  Mr.  Mercer  was  occasionally  the  subject 
of  bodily  infirmity,  yet  during  his  long  ministry,  he 
was  seldom  compelled,  by  disease,  to  suspend  for  any 
considerable  length  of  time  his  useful  labors.  He  was 
particularly  favored  in  being  allowed  with  great  punc* 
tuality  to  attend  all  the  most  important  meetings  of 
his  brethren.  Advancing  years,  however,  brought 
with  them  their  attendant  infirmities,  and  Mr.  Mercer 
found  at  length  his  natural  force  sensibly  abating. 
The  annual  session  of  the  Georgia  Association  in  the 
fall  of  1839  was  denied  the  presence  of  the  venera- 
ble moderator ;  a  violent  attack,  attended  with  some 
distressing  and  alarming  symptoms,  confining  him  at 
home.  Never  before  were  his  brethren  so  deeply 
conscious  of  the  strong  hold  which  this  good  man  had 
upon  their  respect,  veneration  and  love.  The  absence 
of  their  long-tried  and  faithful  friend,  upon  whose 
countenance  they  had  often  gazed  with  so  much  de- 
light ;  and  whose  counsels  and  instructions  they  had 
learned  so  much  to  value,  left  in  their  midst  a  broad 
and  mournful  chasm.  The  countenances,  the  conver- 
sation, the  prayers  of  the  brethren  clearly  indicated 
the  deep  sense  they  had  of  their  bereavement,  and 
how  tender  and  strong  were  their  sympathies  for  the 
venerable  sufferer. 

To  Mr.  Mercer  this  affliction  was  rendered  pecu- 
liarly trying  by  the  consideration  that  this  was  the 
first  time  for  a  long  series  of  years  that  he  had  been 
absent  from  a  meeting  of  the  Georgia  Association. 
He  bore  it  however  with  exemplary  patience,  and 
after  a  few  weeks  was  so  far  improved  in  health  as  to 
be  able  to  resume  in  a  measure  his  accustomed  labors. 


The  last  of  November  he  attended  a  ministers'  meeting 
at  Povvelton  ;  his  patriarchal  form  was  again  seen  in 
the  prayer-meeting  and  in  the  pulpit,  and  occasionally 
he  communed  with  his  brethren  through  the  pages  of 
the  Index.  But  his  outward  man  was  evidently  yield- 
ing to  decay,  and  it  seemed  mourafully  obvious  to 
his  brethren,  that  a  few  more  rude  shocks  of  disease 
must  necessarily  close  his  earthly  career.  In  May, 
1840,  he  was  able  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  Con- 
vention at  Penfield  ;  and  though  the  labors  of  the  oc- 
casion were  too  much  for  his  enfeebled  health,  yet  he 
gave  strict  attention  to  all  the  important  business  of 
the  session,  and  aided  as  usual  by  his  paternal  coun- 
sels. Some  of  the  brethren  were  particularly  struck 
with  the  sweet  and  heavenly  minded  spirit  which  he 
exhibited,  remarking  that  he  seemed  fast  ripening  for 
a  better  world. 

The  following  communication  appeared  in  a  June 
number  of  the  Index,  and  will  probably  be  interesting 
to  the  reader  of  this  volume.  The  writer  refers  in  an 
affecting  manner  to  his  own  personal  afflictions,  and 
also  to  the  distressing  complaints  of  his  estimable  wife. 
It  is  to  be  hoped  that  his  exhortations  to  his  brethren 
•*  to  lioldfast  to  the  Indcx,^'  will  not  be  forgotten  now 
that  he  is  no  more ;  and  that  the  paper,  amj^ly  sus- 
tained by  "  the  right  sort  of  zeal,^^  will  long  continue 
to  defend  the  cause  of  truth,  and  diffuse  religious  in- 
telligence far  and  wide  amongst  the  churches. 

"  To  the  Patrons  of  the  Christian  Indexr 
"of  ourself." 

"  Dear  Brethren  and  Friends, — In  the  providence 
of  God,  I  was  laid  aside  from  business  by  a  severe 
illness  for  several  weeks,  last  October, ;  and  when  I 
had  recovered  so  as  to  go  out,  I  still  found  myself 


?B36  MEMOIRS  oy 

laboring  under  a  pining  intestine  complaint,  and  which 
has  continued  varyingly  till  now.  What  this  case  is, 
I  am  hardly  able  to  say.  It  may  be,  as  a  knowing 
physician  said  to  me,  a  kind  of  rheumatic,  gouty  state 
of  the  bowels.  This  affliction,  combined  with  the  in- 
creasing infirmities  of  age,  has  rendered,  me  altogether 
unfit  for  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  editoiial  de- 
partment of  the  Index  ;  and  it  has  fallen  for  the  most 
part  on  the  junior  editor.  Finding  I  should  of  neces- 
sity be  obliged  to  give  it  up,  and  being  desirous  that 
it  might  be  continued,  in  the  south j  I  came  to  the 
conclusion  last  fall,  to  place  it  under  the  care  of  the 
Georgia  Baptist  Convention,  as  the  most  sure  method 
to  secure  the  continuance  of  its  publication.  I  there- 
fore made  a  proposition  last  winter  to  the  Executive 
Committee  to  receive  it  for  the  Convention,  and.  to 
proceed  forthwith  to  provide  for  its  publication  under 
their  superintendence  ;  but  the  Committee  thought  it 
might  be  assuming  too  much  responsibility,  and.  re- 
solved to  lay  the  proposition  before  the  Convention  at 
its  next  meeting.  This  was  accordingly  done  at 
the  late  meeting  at  Penfield,  and  was  accepted ;  and 
an  order  passed  that  I  should  be  entirely  relieved  as 
soon  as  practicable.  And  it  was  further  resolved  that 
the  Committee  should  adopt  measures  to  remove  the 
Institution  as  soon  as  convenient  for  publication  to 
Penfield.  Thus  the  work  will  soon,  as  to  necessity 
belongs,  pass  from  my  hands,  I  trust  into  better.  But 
for  the  present  I  am  not,  nor  do  I  see  how  I  can  be 
entirely  released,  if  God  shall  continue  my  life  and 
strength,  until  the  close  of  the  present  year.  Then  it 
is  pretty  certain  it  will  go  into  the  hands  of  the  Com- 
mittee to  be  published  at  Penfield,  under  the  super- 
vision of  some  persons,  who  will  doubtlessly  be  ap- 
pointed as  a  publishing  Committee,  &c. 


JESSE    MERCER.  337 

**  And  now,  my  dear  friends  and  brethren,  let  me 
exhort  and  admonish,  nay,  let  me  beseech  you  to 
hold  fast  to  the  Index.  That  such  a  publication  is 
needed  in  the  south  is  acknowledged  by  many,  but  too 
few  feel  the  right  sort  of  zeal  in  the  cause.  I  have 
made  many  personal  sacrifices  of  convenience,  ease 
and  pleasure  both  to  myself  and  family,  and  hun- 
dreds of  dollars  to  sustain  the  paper  amongst  us  ;  and 
now,  will  you  not  take  a  little  extra  pains  to  perpetu- 
ate its  publication  in  the  hands  of  the  Convention  ?  I 
do  trust,  that  those  who  have  been  its  wann  support- 
ers, will  not  only  continue  themselves,  but  make  a 
strong  effort  to  induce  others  to  do  so.  Cannot  every 
subscriber,  who  feels  a  wish  for  the  prosperity  of  the 
paper,  obtain  each  another  subscriber  for  the  paper 
next  year  ]  It  will  require  a  considerable  increase 
of  good  paying  subscribers,  to  sustain  the  paper  as  it 
should  be  sustained,  and  especially  in  view  of  the 
expenses  which  will,  of  necessity,  be  incurred  in  its 
removal,  &c. 

"  FURTHER  PERPLEXITIES. 

"  It  is  known  to  many  that  while  I  was  absent  last 
year,  attending  the  Convention  in  Twiggs,  my  wife 
was  stricken  with  palsy.  On  returning  home  I  found 
her  in  bed,  unable  to  walk.  Her  entire  right  side  was 
paralyzed — but  from  this  she  slowly  recovered,  so  as 
to  walk  about  the  house,  and  attend  to  her  domestic 
concerns  in  some  measure.  But  her  other  side  be- 
came quite  painful,  and  gradually  the  joints  were  so 
affected  that  she  was  less  able  to  get  about.  This  was 
her  situation  when  I  left  home  to  attend  the  late  Con- 
vention in  Penfield.  But  on  retuminor  from  that 
meeting,  I  had  the  distress  to  find  her  again  in  bed, 
by  a  recurrence  of  palsy  in  the  left  side,   so  as  to  be 


:J38  MEMOIRS  or 

entirely  unable  to  walk  a  step.  But  through  the 
mercy  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  she  is  again  little 
amended — she  can  now  begin  to  sit  up,  and  with  help 
walk  across  the  room.  Putting  this  increase  of  af- 
fliction in  the  scale  with  an  increase  of  my  own,  since 
the  meeting  in  Penfield,  bars,  not  only  my  doing  much 
in  the  editorial  labors  of  the  paper ;  but  my  further 
going  abroad  to  attend  the  principal  meetings  of  my 
brethren,  or  much  more  mingling  with  them  in  public 
service  of  the  cause  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ ;  and  indicates  that  I  must  soon  bid  them  d^  final 
farewell !  To  them  I  now  say,  Be  strong  in  the 
Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might — and  be  ye  faith- 
ful until  death,  and  ye  shall  receive  a  crown  of  life, 
which  fadeth  not  away. 

"  Jesse  Mercer,  the  agedr 

The  continued  afflictions  of  himself  and  wife  pre- 
vented his  attendance  at  the  meeting  of  the  Georgia 
Association  in  1840.  Anxious  however  to  manifest 
his  affection  for  his  brethren,  and  to  do  all  in  his 
power  to  promote  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer,  he  ad- 
dressed a  letter  to  the  body,  in  which  he  urged  upon 
their  attention  some  matters  of  gi'eat  interest  to  the 
churches.  Most  of  that  communication  is  here  sub- 
joined. 

"  Washington,  (Oa.)  October  6,  1840. 
"to  the  GEORGIA  ASSOCIATION,  AT  BETHESDA. 

"  Dear  Brethren, 

**  I  have  cherished  with  fond  anticipation,  the 
hope  that  I  might  be  permitted  to  be  with  with  you  at 
this  your  annual  meeting  ;  but  the  Lord  seems  to  have 
determined  otherwise.     If  ray  own  afflictions  would 


JESSE    MLKtEK.  339 

permit,  (which  however  can  hardly  admil  it,)  those  of 
my  palsied  wife  added,  fomi  a  complete  barrier.  I 
think,  under  the  prospect  which  lies  before  me,  it  is 
very  problematical  wdiether  I  shall  ever  meet  with 
you  again,  in  your  present  capacity  on  earth.  I  there- 
fore, in  this  way,  wish  to  press  upon  your  attention, 
and  through  you  upon  the  consideration  of  the 
churthcs^  the  imjiortance  of  a  few  particulars.  We 
have  not  yet,  according  to  the  Apostle's  exhortation, 
gone  on  to  perfection  in  those  godly  practices,  which 
are  by  Jesus  Christ,  intended  to  glorify  God,  and  fill 
the  earth  with  his  knowledge  and  glory.  There  are 
two  things  especially,  which  should  be  urged  upon 
the  consideration  and  practice  of  the  churches,  in 
order  to  their  being  prepared,  fully,  to  even  bear  any 
competent  part  in  the  instrumentality  of  this  gieat  and 
glorious  design  of  mercy.  The  one  is,  a  more  fre- 
quent and  proper  observance  of  *  the  Lord's  day.' 
The  Apostle  (Heb.  10  :  24,  2b^  condemns  the  manner 
of  some,  in  forsaking  to  assemble  themselves  together. — 
Now  is  it  not  the  manner  of  the  churches,  who  fail  to 
meet  together  three  Sundays  out  of  four,  to  forsake 
the  assembling  of  themselves  together  in  the  sense  of 
the  Apostle  %  The  churches  therefore  ought  to  be 
urged,  yea,  jirovoked  to  this  love  and  good  work.  I 
shall  not  attempt  a  labored  argument  to  prove  the 
change  of  the  Sabbath  to  the  first  day  of  th-e  iveek. 
Let  it  suffice,  that  it  was  changed  and  has  been  so 
observed,  by  the  churches,  from  the  Apostle's  days 
till  now.  Our  Lord  left  in  charge  with  the  Apostles, 
to  teach  their  disciples  *  all  things  whatsoever  he  had 
taught  them.'  And  these  Apostles  have  taught  us 
that  we  have  them  for  our  examples.  Now  how  is  it, 
that  the  first  churches  came  into  the  universal  observ- 
ance of  the^V^^  day  of  the  tveek  as  their  day  of  public 


340  MEMOIRS    OF 

worship  ;  and  how  is  it  that  all  christian  nations  have 
established  it  by  law,  if  it  was  not  at  first  established 
by  the  authority  and  example  of  the  Apostles  them- 
selves ?  But  there  is  another  view  of  it.  The  Apos- 
tle (Rom.  14  :  6.)  commends  him  that  esteemed  one  day 
above  another^  in  that  he  regarded  it  unto  the  Lord. 
Now  then,  as  all  the  churches  have  professed  to 
esteem  *  the  Lord's  day'  above  all  others,  the  obliga- 
tion is  imperative  to  regard  it  unto  the  Lord:  that  is, 
to  devote  it  entirely  to  his  service.  Such  works  of 
mercy,  as  are  stated  by  Christ  in  Mat.  12  :  11.  and  of 
necessity,  as  in  Luke  13  :  15.  are  lawful  to  be  done 
on  the  Lord's  day.  But  do  not  our  churches  suffer 
their  members  to  start  and  drive  their  teams  to  market 
or  other  i^^irticular  business ;  or  set  out  on  contem- 
plated journeys  and  travel  on  the  Lord's  day,  in 
which  they  employ  themselves,  their  servants  and 
beasts  of  labor  as  they  would  on  any  other  day  ]  This 
I  take  to  be  equal  to  harnessing  up  and  going  out  to 
ploughing  in  the  field ;  for  he  that  offends  in  one 
point  is  guilty  of  all !  These  things  must  be  remedied. 
— For  if  the  day  is  not  regarded  unto  the  Lord,  it 
must  be  a  profanation.  I  fear  this  guilt  lies  upon  all 
our  churches. 

"  The  other  point  to  which  I  solicit  the  special 
notice  of  the  Association,  is,  the  assembling  of  the 
churches  every  Lord's  day  (familiarly  called  Sunday) 
for  the  purpose  of  religious  worship  and  service.  I 
suppose  the  practice  of  monthly,  instead  of  weekly 
meetings,  grew  up  out  of  sheer  necessity ;  but  has  not 
this  custom  continued  long  since  that  necessity  ceased  ? 
Whether  the  churches  have  settled  Pastors  or  not, 
they  should  assemble  at  their  own  places  of  worship 
for  the  instruction  of  their  families,  the  raising  up  of 
their  children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 


JESSE    MfiRCtTR.  341 

Lord,  and  the  training  their  young  men  to  religious 
habits  and  usefulness. 

**  There  is  one  prominent  feature  and  custom  in  our 
Lord's  character,  that  has  been  totally  overlooked  by 
the  churches.  It  is  recorded  Luke  4:  16.  'And  he 
came  to  Nazareth,  where  he  had  been  brought  up  : 
and,  as  Jiis  custom  was,  he  went  into  the  synagogue 
(or  place  of  worship)  on  the  Sabbath  day,  and  stood 
np  for  to  read'  From  this  it  appears,  that  the  child 
Jesus,  from  the  time  when  he  Went  down  with  his 
parents  to  Nazareth  and  was  subject  to  them,  was  in 
the  constant  habit  of  going  every  Sabbath  day  to  the 
synagogue  to  read  to  the  people.  Why  should  not  our 
churches  adopt  the  custom  of  going  up  to  the  house 
of  the  Lord  every  Sunday  and  employing  their  young 
men  in  reading  to  the  people  1  This  would  tend,  I 
apprehend,  to  another,  and  a  very  important  result — 
the  settling  of  regular  Pastors  in  the  churches.  Why 
should  not  the  churches  now  speedily  return  to  the 
Apostolic  plan,  and  the  practice  of  the  first  ages  ] 
This  consideration  cannot  be  pressed  upon  the  atten- 
tion of  the  churches  with  too  much  earnestness. 
#       #       #       #       # 

"  And  now  in  conclusion,  T  hereby  individually  pre- 
sent my  christian  love  and  salutations  to  each  mem- 
ber of  your  body,  and  request  an  earnest  interest  in 
the  prayers  of  each  and  all  to  God  for  us  in  our  low 
estate,  that  we  may  be  able  to  submit  ourselves  un- 
der the  mighty  hand  of  God,  with  the  Spirit  of  the 
suffering  Jesus. 

*'  Wishing  you  the  presence  of  the  Lord  at  your 
session  and  at  all  other  times, 

"  I  am,  dear  brethren, 

"  Yours  in  indissoluble  bonds, 

"  Jesse  Mercer." 


342  MKMoiiis   OF 

TO    MRS.    R. 

«'  Washington,  Feb.  26,  1341. 
"My  dear  Sister  Dolly, 

**  I  have  received  a  friendly  letter  from  you  eve- 
ry now  and  then,  but  as  I  was  burdened  with  my  edi- 
torial labors,  and  you  as  it  w^ere,  heard  from  me  every 
week,  through  the  Index,  I  did  not  answer;  but  now 
I  am  not  connected  at  all  with  the  Index,  and  have 
recovered  a  little  from  my  decline,  I  have  concluded 
to  reply  to  yours  of  the  22d  inst.  I  thank  you  for 
kind  and  christian  remembrance  and  prayers ;  I  hope 
these  will  ever  continue  while  there  may  be  any  use 
for  them.  You  say  that  you  had  heard  yesterday  I 
and  wife  had  been  sick.  'Tis  to  me  strange  that  you 
did  not  know  our  afflictions  before  that.  I  have  en- 
joyed no  good  health  since  October  was  a  year,  and 
Nancy  has  been  palsied  since  May  was  a  year. 
Until  last  May  it  was  in  the  light  side  only,  and  she 
could  hobble  about  a  little  in  the  house,  and  with 
help  in  the  yard,  and  even  in  the  garden ;  but  in 
May  last  she  was  stricken  in  the  other  side,  since 
which  time  she  has  not  been  able  to  walk  at  all.  But 
this  all  is  trifling  compared  with  the  state  of  her  mind. 
It  is  palsied  as  much  as  her  body,  and  gives  us  much 
more  distress.  Her  health  is,  however,  in  some  sense 
good  :  she  eats  with  good  appetite,  &c.  In  her  weak- 
ness of  mind,  she  is  often  under  the  most  deceptive 
perceptions,  and  is  not  convinceable.  She  becomes 
mad,  and  is  the  most  distressed  creature  you  can 
imagine  to  yourself. 

"  I  have  been  in  decline  more  rapidly  since  about 
November,  and  till  two  or  three  weeks  past  I  have 
been  laid  aside  from  all  active  business,  and  confined 


JESSE    MEilCEft.  343 

for  the  most  of  the  time  to  my  room  and  bed.  I 
have  not  written  any  letters  that  could  be  dispensed 
with,  and  some  of  these  /  got  written.  For  two 
months  I  have  not  been  to  the  meeting-house  till  last 
Sunday,  and  had  thought  it  probable  I  should  never 
go  again  on  earth.  But  afflictions  spring  not  from  the 
earth.  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  with  me  and  miiie 
as  seemeth  him  good,  and  I  submit.  O  pray  I  may 
be  able  by  the  help  of  God,  to  do  it  with  a  good  grace. 
I  want  the  Spirit  of  Christ  in  this  case. 

"Dear  Sister  D.,  I  remember  you  with  pleasure 
from  your  youth  up.  Scenes  at  Brown's  meeting- 
house and  thereabouts,  have  not  been  effaced  from 
my  endeared  recollection,  and  ever  since  in  all  your 
changes  of  life,  I  have  had  a  tender  sisterly  feeling 
towards  you.  And  I  hope  the  Lord  of  your  youth 
will  be  the  God  of  your  riper  age  and  last  days  on 
earth,  and  preserve  us  both  unto  his  eternal  kingdom. 
*'  I  am  yours  in  Christ, 

"Jesse  Mercer." 

"  Kindcat  love  to  brother  jR." 

TO    MR.    IIEMAN    LINCOLN,    OF    BOSTON. 

"  Washington,  April  11,   1841. 
♦'My  very  dear  Brother  Lincoln, 

"Your  very  acceptable  letter  of  27th  ult.  was 
read  with  much  gratification.  I  was  very  glad  to 
know  that  your  visit  and  interview  with  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  at  Penfield,  had  resulted  in  a  better 
state  of  feeling;  and  I  do  hope  and  trust  by  our 
heavenly  Father's  good  pleasure,  will  ultimately  pro- 
duce a  good  effect.  It  was  well  that  you  *  escaped 
th^  flood'  and  made  your  way  in  safety.  I  trust  the 
same  good  hand  will  be   with  you  to  your  journey's 


344  MEMOIRS    OP 

end,  which  had  preserved  hitherto.  But  you  said 
nothing  of  your  meeting  with  dear  Mrs.  L.,  or  how 
you  found  her.  I  suppose  in  good  health,  at  least 
for  her,  or  you  would  have  said  something  about  it. 

"  Your  visit  to  me  was  the  more  appreciated,  from 
the  adverse  weather  through  which  you  made  it; 
though  the  little  time  which  was  left  you  to  remain, 
was  regretted  much  by  me.  I  would  be  thankful 
that  you  suffered  nothing  from  your  exposure  to  the 
severe  inclemency  through  which  you  came  and  went. 
I  suppose,  in  all  probability,  we  may  never  meet 
ao-ain  on  earth  ;  but  while  on  earth,  I  trust  we  shall  be 
prompted  to  remember  and  pray  for  each  other  by 
this  renewal  of  our  intercourse,  and  that  we  may, 
through  grace,  be  so  happy  as  to  meet  in  that  world 
where  no  sorrow  is,  but  joy  and  everlasting  conso- 
lation. 

*'  As  to  the  confidential  part  of  your  letter,  so  far  as 
it  relates  to  myself,  I  accord  entirely  with  you.  I 
suppose  you  may  remember  that  I  wrote  the  Board 
at  its  last  election,  not  to  continue  me  their  president 
any  longer ;  I  then  thought  it  most  probable  that  I 
should  never  be  with  them  more  on  earth,  and  that 
any  how,  it  would  bo  better  for  some  one  who  could 
attend  at  least  oftener,  to  fill  that  place,  I  had  come 
to  the  conclusion  to  decline  a  re-election  positively 
should  I  be  continued  one  of  the  Board  at  the  next 
election,  before  you  suggested  it.  And  now  through 
you  I  say  to  the  brethren  who  may  be  elected  to  the 
Board,  if  my  name  should  be  found  among  them,  not 
by  any  means  appoint  me  again  to  that  office.  I  am 
too  old,  and  now  too  much  afflicted  to  do  any  good  in 
such  a  place.  Indeed,  I  hope  and  request  that  you 
will  ask  the  president  of  the  Committee  to  let  it^be 
known  that  I  wish  not  to  be  a  trustee,  or  one  of  the 


JESSn    MERCER.  345 

Board  of  Managers ;  as  I  am  altogether  unable  to  do 
any  good  tor  the  cause  abroad.  At  home,  I  shall,  as 
I  may  have  ability,  do  what  I  can  in  the  good  cause. 
*  *  #  *  # 
"  The  Lord  grant  to  the  Convention  a  good  meeting 
at  Baltimore,  and  give  such  a  direction  to  all  the  bu- 
siness of  that  body,  as  may  be  for  his  glory. 

"  My  most  christian  affection  to  Sister  L.,  and  to  all 

the  dear  brethren  connected  with  you  in  the  arduous 

labors  of  spreading  the  gospel  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

"  I  am,  dear  brother,  yours  in  the  kingdom  and 

patience  of  Jesus  Christ, 

"  Jesse  Mercer." 

"  P.  S.  My  health  is,  through  mcix;y,  still  a  little 
better.  AVife  is  nothing  better.  The  Lord  have 
mercy  en  us^ 

The  afflictions  of  Mrs.  Mercer,  so  frequently  men- 
tioned in  the  j^^'eceding  letters,  continued  with  only 
some  occasional  mitigations,  bidding  defiance  to  all 
the  attempts  of  friendship  and  medical  skill  to  relieve 
them.  They  were  of  such  a  nature  as  greatly  to  op- 
press the  feelings  of  her  most  aflectionate  and  sympa- 
thizing husband,  at  the  same  time  that  they  deprived 
him  in  a  great  measure  of  the  society  of  his  brethren, 
even  at  his  own  house,  and  by  keeping  him  in  a  con- 
stant state  of  confinement,  greatly  aggravated  his  own 
bodily  complaints. 

On  Friday  the  21st  of  May,  it  pleased  the  Lord  to 
cut  short  her  sufferings,  by  removing  her,  as  is  confi- 
dently believed,  to  a  better  world.  *  The  following 
letter  was  written  the  day  after  her  interment : 

*  For  a  Skt'Jch  ^f  tlif  I. iff  ami  CliaiMrtcr  uf  Mr-  .Mrrrrr,  «pe 
Appi^ndix  C . 

IG 


346  MEMOIRS    OP 

"  Washington,  May  23,  1841. 
"  Mt  Dear  Brother  M. 

"  It  is  now  some  time  since  any  thing  has  passed 
between  us.  The  occasions  which  you  used  to  have 
to  write  every  now  and  then  have  changed  to  Pen- 
field  with  the  Index,  and  I  have  been  for  the  most 
part  all  winter  unable  to  write  except  what  was  in- 
dispensable, and  some  of  that  I  got  written  by  others. 
Nevertheless,  I  do  desire  to  have  some  direct  inter- 
course between  us  kept  up.  I  have  rejoiced  to  find 
how  amicably  the  vexed  question  went  off  at  Balti- 
more, when  once  the  brethren  had  an  opportunity  of 
personal  conversation.  I  too  am  happy  that  our  own 
Convention  was  ultimately  so  harmonious  and  pleased 
in  the  Report  of  our  Delegates  on  the  subject.  I  do 
hope  no2v  all  will  go  on  more  peacefully  and  success* 
fully  in  the  great  and  best  of  causes, — in  the  promo- 
tion, so  far  as  instrumentality  goes,  of  the  kingdom  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  must  make  an  effort  to 
redeem  the  time  and  money  lost  last  year  by  the  agi- 
tation of  the  subject  of  slavery  amongst  us. 

"  My  health  has  been  so  bad,  and  my  confinement 
so  great,  that  I  could  do  but  little  except  at  home ; 
and  indeed  I  need  not  expect  to  do  much  at  my 
time  of  life,  and  in  affliction  and  increasing  infirmi- 
ties. A  month  ago  I  thought  I  was  in  a  fair  way  to 
be  restored,  as  far  as  my  health  was  concerned,  but  I 
have  rather  declined  -again.  Still  I  hope  there  is  a 
radical  change  in  the  cause  of  my  affliction,  and  I  may 
yet  be  able  to  meet  my  brethren  at  their  more  irapor- 
tcint  meeting,  other  things  being  equal. 
****** 

"  My  dear  brother  M.,  I  am  this  day  in  quite  a 
changed  state  from  that  which  I  have  occupied  for 
nearly  two  years.     It  has  pleased  the  Lord  to  end  the 


JESSE    MERCE«.  347 

•confinetncnL  under  wliich  I  have  been  *  like  a  poor 
prisoner  bountl,'  by  taking  to  himscK  my  clear  wife. 
Yes,  she  is  gone  to  her  lontj^  home.  We  placed  her 
remains  in  the  house  appointed  for  all  living,  yester- 
day afternoon,  in  our  meeting-house  yard,  beside 
which  it  is  designed  I  shall  be  laid,  when  it  may  be 
tJie  will  of  God  to  call  mc  away.  You  know  some- 
what how  to  sympathize  with  a  poor  widower.  J 
^nd  that 

*  One  evil  to  another  cries. 
Billows  on  billows  roll-' 

**  Now  that  the  troubles  of  a  poor  distracted  wife 
-are  removed,  straightway  the  solitude,  cares,  and  bur- 
dens of  the  future  pour  in  upon  me  with  an  almost 
overwhelming  power.  Pray  the  Lord  for  me,  my 
<lear  brother,  that  I  may  be  sustained,  and  kept  from 
tlie  evil  of  my  remaining  days.  My  Christian  love  to 
■your  lady,  and  be  assured  I  am  as  ever, 

**  Yours  in  a  precious  Redeemer, 

**  Jesse  Mercer."" 

The  following  letter,  addressed  to  INIr.  Mercer  by 
tlie  Rev.  Mr.  Curtis,  on  hearing  of  the  death  of  his 
wife,  deserves  a  place  in  this  volume,  as  well  as  Mr. 
Mercer's  answer,  which  immediately  follows. 

'*  PeiiJldS.,  25lh  May,  1C41. 
*^'  31 Y  Dear  Brother, 

'*  We  have  heard  here  from  several  quarters  of 
the  removal,  and  even  of  the  funeral,  of  Mrs.  Mercer; 
so  that,  without  direct  tidings,  we  conclude  that  this 
event  has  transpired. 

•"You  have  been  mcrci^uWy j^Cjpared  for  it.     Af- 


348  IWEMOIRS  OF 

flictions  are  workmen,  as  the  blessed  book  tells  us— 
and  they  *  work  together''  or  in  an  important,  myste- 
rious union  of  operations,  or  they  would  do  us  little 
'  good.'  \(y\xxiKist  trials  in  this  case — all  its  peculiari- 
ties of  trial  were  meant  to  prepare  you  for  the  pre- 
sent trial,  and  thus  became  mercies  in  relation  to  it  ; 
*  working:  tosetlier  with '  it.  You  could  not  have  borne 
the  'parting,  if  the  union  had  not  become  no  longer 
hopeful  and  help-full.  You  could  not  bear  so  well 
your  solitude,  if  the  company  of  a  late  beloved  object 
had  not  become  the  source  of  much  pain.  Afflictions 
are  both  light  and  heavy,  according  to  the  skill  or 
ignorance,  that  we  may  regard  as  directing  them. 
Heavy  afflictions  do  little  or  light  good  to  the  careless 
and  the  unbeliever.  '  Light  afflictions  which  are  hut 
for  a  moment '  work  out  for  us,  in  the  skilful  hands 
and  management  of  the  divine  mechanist,  *  a  far 
more  exceeding  and  eternal  iceight  of  glory^  For  he 
can  apply  that  power  of  a  lever  by  which  a  feather 
will  lift  a  ton.  And  afflictions  are  light  and  heavy  ac- 
cording to  the  scale  on  which  we  regard  them.  What 
so  heavy  as  death,  even  a  believer's  death,  when  we 
consider  it  on  an  earthly  scale,  or  what  is  removed. 
What  so  li2rht  when  we  consider  it  in  the  scale  of 

o 

God's  divine  plans  for  his  people.  It  is  but  an  in- 
conceivable transition-point — a  moment !  I  cannot 
doubt  that  the  believer  often  first  ivakes  in  glory,  with 
entire  surprise  at  the  gentleness  of  his  passage,  the 
kind  manner  in  which  the  change  has  been  effected, 
the  XiXxXq  friction,  so  to  speak,  of  the  momentous  move- 
ment. 

"  All  these  reflections,  however,  will  be  familiar  to 
you,  I  only  pen  them  to  assure  you  of  a  comparative 
stranger's  sympathy.  *  Jesus  wej)t,'  I  suppose,  by  a 
contagion  of  friendly  tenderness.     He  knew  what  he 


JESSE    MERCER.  349 

would  do  for  liis  friends,  but  tlccy  did  not.  Therefore 
Ihcy  wept,  and  tlicrcforc  he.  So  he  sweetly  2^(irtooh  all 
the  infirmity  belonging  to  the  case.  You  will  find  him, 
I  doubt  not,  the  same  compassionate  Redeemer  in 
yours.  To  his  almighty — ever  well  timed  grace,  I 
would  commend  you. 

**  The  brethren  here  talk  of  urging  you  to  come 
over,  if  possible.  It  will  give  no  one  more  satisfac- 
tion to  see  you  than  the  unworthy  pastor  of  the  church. 
See  whether  the  scene  of  many  of  your  hopes,  prayers 
and  liberal  efforts,  may  not  be  providentially  within 
your  reach  to  re-invigorate  your  powers.  For  we 
must  go  on  trading,  spending  and  receiving  some  little 
7}i07-e  of  returns  for  the  Master,  until  he  calls  for  the 
account  you  know. 

"  Your  condoling,  affectionate  brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  Thos.  Curtis." 

"  IVaskington,  June  8,  1841. 
**Mr  DEAR  Brother  Curtis, 

"  Yours  of  the  29th  ult.  was  duly  handed  me,  by 
brother  S.  I  thank  you  for  it  Though  '  a  compara- 
tive stranger,'  you  have  hit  on  a  right  expedient.  Your 
sympathy  and  consolation  came  in  the  proper  time, 
and  gave  me  help  in  need.  I  had  not  thought  so  iccll, 
what  God  w^as  doing  with  me,  and  for  me.  I  had 
reflected  on  the  cause  of  my  afflictions,  and  asked  the 
Lord,  I  hope  in  humility,  the  reason  why  ]  but  it  had 
not  occurred  to  me  that  God  was  by  jncvious  lighter 
trials,  preparing  me  for  the  last  and  greater  *  trial.' 
Indeed,  I  do  not  know  how  I  could  have  borne  the 
parting  with  the  dear  departed  object  of  my  affections 
and  solace  in  life,  had  it  not  been  for  those  distressing 
causes  which  rendered  the  '  union  no  longer  hopeful 
and  helpful.'     In  this  light  afHiction,  are  *  mercies'  in 


350  5IEM0IRS    OF 

disguise.     Of  our  heavenly  Father  it  may  he  truly 


*Bol)ind  a.  frowning  providence 
Ke  hides  a  smiling  face.' 

'*  *  Afflictions  are  workmen.'  Tiuly  they  work,,  and- 
always  under  the  skilful  direction  of  infinite  wisdom 
and  goodness,  yield  to  the  poor  sufferers  who  are 
exercised  thereby  the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness,. 
All  we  have  to  do  is  to 

*  Judge  not  the  Lord  by  feeble  sense. 
But  trust  him  for  his  grace/ 

*'  'Afflictions  are  workmen,'  working  together,  one 
with  another,  and  with  the  ultimate  design,  or  end  in 
view,  or  they  surely  would  do  us  little  good :  but  as 
they  are  ordered  by  the  Lord,  they  work  out  for  us 
an  eternal  weight  of  glory.  What  a  wondrous  pro- 
duct, from  such  unpromising  seed  !  But  this  is  God's 
way  with  his  children  :  he  puts  on  them  light  afflic- 
tions, only  for  a  moment,  and  then  gives  them  an  eter- 
nal weight  of  glory — everlasting  consolation  and  un- 
mixed, unalloyed  pleasures  at  his  own  right  hand. 

**  O,  how  light  and  short  are  all  our  afflictions  here,, 
when  weighed  in  this  scale  !  But  these  *  workmen'' 
are  working  for  us  a  present  and  valuable  result. — 
They  always,  however  severe,  are  kind,  they  come  in 
love,  and  design  to  make  us  partakers  of  the  divine 
holiness — to  bring  us  nearer  to  our  Just  God  and 
Samour,  and  conform  us  more  and  more  to  the  hea.- 
venly  standard. 

"  Truly  afflictions  are  heavy,  if  they  come  alone, 
and  work  singly  in  their  own  simple  character,  and 
thus  they  must  come    to    all  the    unbelieviiis:,   V/i!fC>, 


JESSE    MERCER.  351 

know  not  God,  and  love  not  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
And  afflictions  are  heavy  even  to  a  believer,  so  long 
as  he  contenijDlates  thern  on  an  earthly  scale,  or  views 
them  in  their  own  nature  and  tendencies.  The  alle- 
viation lies  beyond  the  veil  of  flesh  and  sense,  in  the 
gracious  and  eternal  results  which  they  are  '  working 
together'  by  *  a  mysterious  union'  to  produce ;  and  is 
realized  in  considering  them  as  parts  of  God's  plan  of 
incrclful  economy  with  his  children.  When  God's 
exceeding  great  and  precious  promises  are  viewed 
with  believing  eyes,  the  suffering  child  of  grace  may 
glory  in  tribulations ;  rejoice  in  this  dark  vale  of 
sorrows  and  triumph  even  in  death !  Afflictions, 
though  roughly  clad  in  vestments  of  camel's  hair, 
must  be  viewed  as  the  harbingers  of  everlasting  peace 
and  rest ;  and  contemplated  on  this  scale,  the  man 
of  God  is  not  only  able  to  endure  them  'patiently,  but 
in  the  mcclincss  of  his  suffering  Forerunner,  he  wel- 
comes them,  as  indisj^ensable  to  the  fulfilment  of 
God's  plan  of  mercy  towards  him,  and  necessary  to 
the  perfecting  of  his  eternal  inheritance  in  heaven. 

"  The  sympathy  of  Christ  our  Saviour  is  also  a  rich 
source  o?  jieculiai-  comfort  to  an  afflicted  saint.  *  Jesus 
wept.'  How  consoling  the  reflection  that  in  all  our 
afflictions  he  is  afflic!*;d ;  that  in  his  love  and  pity  he 
bears  us  up ;  and  strengthens  us  on  the  bed  of  lan- 
guishing. Our  High  Priest  and  Mediator  is  touched 
with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities  ;  yea,  what  is  won- 
derful !  he  was  made  perfect  through  sufferings,  being 
tempted  in  all  points,  that  he  might  know  how  to 
succor  them  that  are  tempted,  in  all  their  afflictions, 
***** 

"  Your  brother  in  Christ, 

**  Jesse  Mercer," 


352  MEMOIRS    OF- 

TO    MR.    liEMAN    LINCOLN. 

"  Washif/i;ton,  June  23,   iSH 
***** 

"I  suppose  you  have  seen,  or  heard  of  the  death  of 
my  dear  wife.  When  you  were  at  our  house  she  was 
in  one  of  her  best  times,  cahii  and  somewhat  reason- 
able and  capable  of  taking  a  degree  of  pleasure  in 
the  rehearsal  of  fomier  things  which  in  their  enjoy- 
ment had  interested  her ;  but  she  soon  became  dis- 
ordered and  distressed  and  distressing;  and  so  conti- 
nued with  short  inter\'als  to  be  more  palsied  in  her 
limbs,  and  more  lost  to  herself  No  mortal  can  con- 
ceive what  she  suffered  in  her  mental  feelings.  She 
was  perpetually  in  a  labyrinth  of  imaginations  the 
most  inconsistent  in  themselves,  and  the  most  harass- 
ing- to  herself  This  continued  to  increase  till  the 
16th  May,  when  she  had  a  slight  turn  of  apoplexy, 
from  which  she  mainly  lost  her  power  of  action  :  was 
mostly  disposed  to  sleep.  On  Tuesday  she  at  times 
seemed  to  know  those  about  her ;  and  expressed  her- 
self as  quite  to  herself.  The  fiiends  present  thought 
she  was  so,  and  if  she  could  have  talked,  she  could 
have  satisfied  us  she  was.  Indeed  she  did  say  so 
much,  late  that  evening,  as  ga"*e  me  to  believe  she 
was  dying  in  koj^e  in  the  love  of  Jesus.  She  never 
spake  after  Wednesday  morning,  nor  opened  her 
eyes,  no  not  in  death  !  which  occurred  Friday  night 
about  forty-five  minutes  after  ten  o'clock.  I  am  in 
desolate  widowhood ;  in  this  you  and  dear  sister  L. 
can  sympathize  with  me.  My  health,  which  had 
somewhat  improved  when  you  were  with  me,  soon 
began  to  degenerate,  and  I  am  not  much  amended 
yet.  I  have  it  in  view  to  go  up  to  Penfield  and  spend 
a  little  while  with  friends  there  ;  and  after  the  com- 


JESSE    MERCER.  353 

Tnciiccnient,  go  up  the  country  higher;  and  see  if 
change  of  place  and  company  will  not  have  some 
good  effect  on  my  health  :  but  the  will  of  the  Lord  be 
done.  I  wi§h  above  all  things  I  could  know  the  will 
of  God  concerning  me,  and  do  it,  or  suffer  it  in  a 
Christ-like  manner,  to  his  honor  while  I  live.  O 
pray,  my  dear  brother,  that  the  spirit  of  the  Lord 
may  still  be  my  guide  and  comforter  till  death ;  that 
my  little  remaining  time  may  not  be  spent  in  useless- 
«ess  and  pinings. 

"  Tell  brother  Eolles  that  I  received  his  letter  in 
reply  to  mine  on  the  subject  of  *  the  vexed  question.' 
But  as  all  things  in  reference  to  the  Board's  actino-s 
on  that  question  were  gohig  on,  as  I  thought,  \\ell, 
I  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  write  any  thing  {\\y- 
iher  on  it.      Besides,  I  was  at  that  time  under  ca- 
curastances  which  rendered   it  very  inconvenient  to 
wiite  any  thing.      I  tiiist  and  hope  the  Board  will 
be  able  now  to  cany  forward  all  their  present  op- 
erations if  they  cannot  enlarge  them.     Though  the 
times  are  very  trying  in  pecuniary  matters,  the  crops 
are  rather  promising,    and    if  they   should  turn   out 
good,  I  think  we  shall  be  able  to  make  up  our  loss. 

"  I  see  brother  Davis  has  been  with  you.  Brother 
Peck  says  lie  added  considerable  interest  to  your 
anniversaries.  I  hope  he  may  be  useful  wherever 
he  goes  by  the  good  Spirit  of  our  God  upon  him. 

"  You  will  make  my  best  christian  regards  to 
sister  L.  and  all  the  dear  brethren  of  the  Board. 

**  I  am,  dear  brother,  yours  in  much  affection  and 
in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Christ  our  Lord, 

**  Jesse  Mercer." 

It  must  be  evident  that  Mr.  Mercer's  protracted 
afflictions  rendered  it  impossible  for  him  at  lliis  time 

IG* 


354  MEMOIRS    OF 

to  give  much  attention  to  his  ministerial  labors. 
His  lack  of  service  in  this  respect  was  very  usefully 
supplied  by  brother  C.  F.  Sturgis,  a  highly  esteemed 
brother  in  the  ministry,  who  had  been  chosen  early 
in  the  year  as  co-pastor  of  the  church  at  Washington. 

Occasionally  however,  as  his  circumstances  would 
allow,  he  mingled  with  his  beloved  flock  in  the  sane- 
tuaiy,  to  encourage  them  by  his  prayers,  exhortations 
and  instructions  in  the  ways  of  righteousness  and 
peace.  He  had  a  place  in  their  tenderest  affections;' 
his  presence  always  afforded  them  delight ;  yet  a 
delight  now  blended  with  the  mournful  refTectiofi, 
that  their  beloved  and  venerated  pastor,  fast  sinking 
under  the  weight  of  years  and  disease,  must  soon  bid 
them  farewell.  It  was  but  a.  few  times  that  he  was 
able  to  ascend  the  pulpit,  during  the  last  ten  or  twelve 
months  of  his  life  ;  his  occasional  addresses  to  his  peo- 
ple were  belovr,  and  when  speaking,  such  was  the  fee- 
ble state  of  his  body,  that  he  frequently  found  it  neces- 
sary to  remain  in  a  sitting  posture. 

Mr.  Mercer  manifested  a  commendable  solicitude 
for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  colored  portion  of  his 
flock.  Though  during  his  last  days  he  was  not  able  to 
give  much  personal  attention  to  them,  yet  he  encou- 
rasTcd  his  co-laborer  Mr.  Sturo^ls  and  the  most  active 
members  of  his  church,  to  hold  reliccious  meetino^s  ori 
all  suitable  occasions  far  their  benefit.  These  efforts 
were  not  in  vain.  In  I\Iay  a  work  of  grace  com- 
menced amongst  the  blacks,  which  seemed  to  advance 
with  happy  consequences  for  one  or  two  successive 
years.  As  has  been  previously  stated,  the  number  of 
members  reported  in  1840,  was  87;  in  1843  it  was 
181.  This  increase  was  principally  from  amongst  the 
blacks,  and  furnishes  a  pleasing  view  of  the  results  of 
the  work  of  grace,  to  which  reference  is  now  made. 


JESSE    MERCER.  355 

It  was  the  ardent  desire  of  Mr.  Mercer,  to  be  useful 
as  long  as  he  lived.  In  a  letter  to  an  esteemed  bro- 
ther he  says,  "  I  have  deprecated  before  God,  a  worn 
out,  useless  and  sinful  old  age^ 

Though  cut  short  by  the  hand  of  God  in  his  minis- 
terial labors,  he  roused  himself  up  from  time  to  time 
to  such,  efforts  with  his  pen  as  he  thought  might  be 
acceptable  and  useful  to  his  brethren.  His  Essay  on 
the  Forgiveness  of  Sins,  already  noticed,  was  written 
in  the  midst  of  his  great  domestic  afflictions.  At  a 
subsequent  period  he  prepared  three  numbers  for  the 
Index,  which  were  published  under  the  caption,  ''Hear 
what  the  Sjnrit  saith  to  the  churches^  They  were 
his  last  efforts  with  his  pen  intended  for  the  public 
eye  ;  and  as  they  may  be  regarded  as  the  valedictory, 
the  dying  counsel  of  this  Father  in  Israel,  they  pro- 
perly claim  a  place  in  these  pages  dedicated  to  his 
memory. 

*'  Bro.  Stokes, — I  have  concluded  to  send  your 
readers  a  few  more  Nos.  on  a  subject  which  I  deem 
of  vital  importance  to  the  churches.  I  fear  many  of 
them  arc  settled  on  their  lees  ;  or  are  living  in  great 
remissness,  and  neglect  of  duty  ;  that  they  do  not  con- 
sider v/ell  the  obligations  they  are  under  to  preserve 
their  own  purity,  or  fitness  for  the  acceptable  discharge 
of  the  duties  required  of  them.  I  write  to  stir  them 
up  to  a  more  lively  sense  of  what  they  ought  to  do,  if 
possible  to  provoke  them,  by  plain  scriptural  rej^re- 
sentations,  to  love  and  good  works.  I  do  this,  the  rather, 
because,  though  I  wish  I  could  do  better,  I  am  obliged 
to  say,  with  Newton's  kite, 


But  ah  !  like  a  poor  prisoner  bound, 
My  string  confines  me  to  the  ground.' 


3oCy  SIEMOIRS    Of 

"It  seems  Lo  be  the  good  pleasuie  of  God  stdl  to 
confine  me,  by  continued  affliction.  I  cannot  indulge 
in  the  hope  of  getting  out  and  doing  any  thing  of 
greater  utility,  and  therefore,  give  vent  to  my  desires 
in  this  icay.  I  hope  and  pray  my  effort  may  be  ac- 
ceptable to  the  churches,  and  for  the  use  of  their  edifi- 
cation.    I  am  both  theirs  and  yours  in  Christ. 

"  Jesse  Mercer.'^ 

•'  Washington,  March,  1841." 


**  Hea)-  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the  Churches^ 

0 

No.  1. 

THE    INTRODUCTION, 

"  The  sacred  injunction  is  placed  in  the  close  of  each 
epistle,  sent  from  Jesus  Christ,  the  great  Head  of  the 
Church,  by  his  servant  John,  to  the  seven  churches 
which  were  in  Asia.  The  reiteration  was  doubtless 
desicrned  to  give  weight  and  im^oortance  to  the  divine 
mandate,  and  to  engage  the  particular  attention  of  each 
and  all  the  churches  to  the  momentous  things  spoken. 
The  command  to  hear,  or  attend  to  the  things  which 
the  Spirit  spake,  must  not  be  limited  to  the  seven 
churches  in  Asia,  but  considered  as  equally  bindhig  on 
the  observance  of  all  the  churches  of  Christ  in  any 
part,  or  age  of  the  world.  This  will  not  be  contro- 
verted. Then  let  it  be  also  carefully  noticed,  that  the 
requirement  is  made,  not  only  of  the  churches  collec- 
tively, but  of  every  member  particularly  ;  *  he,  that 
hath  an  ear  to  hear,'  is  called  on  to  hear  what  the 
Spirit  saith  unto  the  churches.  And  this  strikingly 
proves,  that  ivliat  is  the  duty  of  all,  is  the  duty  of  each  ; 
or  in  other  words,  that  each  member  has  a  special  ob- 
ligation resting  on  him,  as  well  as  an  inviting  interest, 


JESSE    MEftCEK.  o^"^ 

ill  llic  thiiiufs  Lauu:lit ;  nor  are  wc  to  uiidcrstaiid  tlic 
things  commanded  to  be  heard,  as  rcfemng  to  what 
is  coiitained  in  these  epistles  merely,  but  in  the  whole 
book,  (see  chap.  1  :  11.)  and  not  the  things  written 
in  this  book  only,  but  to  all  the  holy  scriptures ;  for 
they  were  all  given  by  inspiration  of  the  Spirit,  and 
are  required  to  be  read,  searched,  preached  and  heard 
by  all,  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  thoroughly  fur- 
nished unto  all  good  works. 

*'  The  Spirit  teaches  the  churches,  as  well  by  the 
figures  and  characteristics  used,  as  in  the  declarations 
made,  and  the  exhortations  and  commands  addressed. 
By  the  epithets  of  character  assumed  for  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  they  are  shown  how  glorious  is  He,  who 
is  exalted  to  be  their  supreme  Head  and  sovereign 
lawgiver.  They  exhibit  him  to  be,  what  he  affirms 
of  himself.  One  icith  his  Father — equal  in  majesty, 
power  and  glory.  Thus  he  appeared,  and  announced 
himself  to  the  exiled  John,  in  the  isle  of  Patmos,  say- 
ing, '  1  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the 
ending,  saith  the  Lord,  which  is,  and  which  was,  and 
which  is  to  come,  the  Almighty.'  This  description  of 
character  belongs  to  God  alone,  and  is  unlawful  to  be 
assumed  by  any  creature.  Therefore,  this  declaration, 
together  with  the  characters  given  him  in  the  be- 
ginning of  each  of  these  epistles,  fully  proves  him  to 
possess  all  authoiity  and  dominion,  and  worthy  to  be 
worshipped  by  angels  and  men,  as  God  over  all,  bless- 
ed Jo  r  eve?: 

"  This  appearance  was  most  heavenly  and  divine. 
Christ  here  manifests  himself  in  his  mysterious  union 
of  natures,  in  his  mediatorial  and  God-like  characters. 
His  dress  indicates  his  kingly  and  priestly  offices. 
His  robe  and  girdle  are  rather  vestments  of  the  priest- 
hood.    His  head  and  hair,  white  as  snow,  show  him  to 


35S  MEMOIRS    0? 

be  *  the  ancient  of  days.'  His  eyes  being  like  a  flame 
of  fire,  denotes  the  terribleness  with  which  he  flashes 
vengeance  on  his  foes,  and  beams  his  love  on  his 
friends,  and  proves  to  all  the  churches,  that  it  is  He^ 
that  searches  the  reins  and  hearts.  His  feet,  like  bur- 
nished brass,  may  signify  the  firmness  of  his  going 
forth,  and  the  brightness  of  those  dispensations,  in 
wliich  he  treads  down  his  enemies,  as  mire  in  the 
street  f  or  comforts  his  people  with  salvation.  His 
voice,  as  a  trumpet — as  the  sound  of  many  waters, 
indicates  the  exceeding  greatness  of  his  power,  the 
dreadful  majesty  of  his  speech.  Let  Sinai  tell  the 
awful  tale — let  the  red  sea  and  Jordan  repeat  the 
story — -let  Moses  and  Habakkuk  bear  their  witness — 
let  John  testify  this  solemn  truth.  His  countenance, 
like  the  sun  shining  in  his  strength,  may  show  the  in- 
finite blessedness  of  his  favor,  which  is  life,  and  his 
loving:  kindness,  which  is  better  than  life. 

"  How  terrible  must  this  sight  have  been  to  .John  y 
yet  how  delightful !  how  dreadful,  yet  how  joyful  ! 
So  dreadful  was  Christ  Jesus  to  look  upon  in  his  hea- 
venly habiliments,  that  John  fell  at  his  feet  as  dead  ; 
but  his  Lord  and  beloved  Master,  who  had  lost  noth- 
inor  of  his  tenderness,  drew  near  and  laid  his  rio4it 
hand  softly  on  him,  and  said,  as  it  were,  It  is  1.  Be 
not  afraid.  I  am  Jesus,  who  icas  dead  !  but  1  live  ! 
and  behold  1  am  alive  for  evermore.     Amen. 

"  How  comfortable  must  this  visit  of  Jesus  Christ 
have  been  to  his  servant  John,  in  his  desolate  and  drea- 
ry solitude.  He  was  then  indeed,  in  pressing  need  of 
comfort ;  and  Jesus  did  not  prove  unmindful  of  his 
promise  to  his  disciples,  (John  14  :  IS.)  but  came  to 
his  beloved  disciple  in  distress,  and  comforted  and 
blessed  him  greatly.  And  are  not  the  churches,  (and 
all  believers  individually,)  taught  and  encouraged  by 


JESSE    MERCER.  359 

this  wontlcrful  dis^ilay  of  glory  and  grace  to  trust  in 
the  Lord  in  all  their  deepest  afflictions  and  severest 
trials ;  and  confidently  to  believe  that  it  shall  Le  well 
with  tliern,  and  that  they  shall  not  be  forsaken  in  six 
troubles,  and  in  seven  no  ultimate,  or  final  evil  shall 
be  suffered  to  come  nigh  them  1  For  thus  sailh  the 
Lord,  *  when  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will 
be  with  thee ;  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not 
ovei-flow  thee  ;  when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire 
thou  shalt  not  be  bunicd  ;.  neither  shall  the  flame  kin- 
dle upon  thcc.'  Again,  *  as  thy  days,  so  shall  thy 
strength  be — The  eternal  God  is  thy  refuge  ;  and  un- 
derneath are  the  everlastin":  anns.'  Ac^ain  :  *  The 
Lord  is  thy  keeper;  The  Lord  is  thy  shade  upon  thy 
right  hand.  The  sun  shall  not  smite  thee  by  day,  nor 
the  moon  by  night.  The  Lord  shall  preserve  thee 
from  all  evil ;  he  shall  j^resei've  thy  soul.  The  Lord 
shall  presence  thy  going  out,  and  thy  coming  in,  from 
this  time  forth,  and  for  eveiTnore.'  Truly,  the  Lord 
has  given  his  people  exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises  for  their  consolation  in  trouble. 

"  The  characters  in  which  our  Lord  Jesus  is  mani- 
fested in  scripture,  as  having  all  power  in  heaven 
and  caith,  and  head  over  all  things  to  the  church,  in- 
spire hojie,  without  doubt,  and  confidenco  without 
fear,  that  all  these  promises  will  be  faithfully  fulfilled. 
His  means  are  ample.  Among  these  he  has  given  his 
ministers  to  strengthen  and  encourage  them ;  saying, 
*  comfort  ye,  comfort  ye  my  people,  saith  your  God.' 
And  (speaking  of  things  that  are  not,  as  though  they 
were  already  done)  he  saith,  *  Cry  unto  them,  that 
their  warfare  is  accomplished,  that  their  iniquity  is 
pardoned  ;'  for  they  have  received  of  the  Lord's  hand, 
instead  of  punishments  for  their  sins,  double  the  amount 
in  blessinc^s.     What  wondrous  goodness  and  mercy  ! 


360  MEMOlilS    OF 

But  let  none  judge  of  the  Lord's  ways  by  feclDle  sense. 
The  method  of  fulfilling  his  promises,  God  has  re* 
sei'ved,  with  the  times  and  the  seasons,  under  his  own 
power.  God  will  be  trusted,  as  faithful^  and  waited 
on  as  sovereign,  by  his  people.  He  often  bears  long 
with  them,  to  try  their  faith  and  integrity,  and  to  draw 
out  their  prayer  and  importunity  at  his  throne  of  grace. 
But  I  must  close  these  prefatory  remarks,  and  ask  your 
readers  to  wait  till  next  week  for  my  next  No." 


*'  Hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the  Churches^ 
No.  2. 

THE   CANDLESTICKS. 

^  The  considerations  whicli  Imve  been  su^-crested  in 
the  introduction,  plainly  show  the  weighty  obligations 
under  which  the  churches  lie,  to  obey  the  voice  of 
Him  w^ho  spake  from  heaven,  and  the  dire  conse- 
quences of  disobedience.  I  therefore  most  earnestly 
solicit  them  to  attend  carefully  to  what  may  be  said  in 
the  following  essay. 

"  The  Spirit  teaches  the  churches  some  useful  les- 
sons by  the  use  of  the  candlestick  as  a  figure,  to  rep- 
resent the  churches.  It  seems  that  this  is  the  appro- 
priate figure  which  God  has  chosen  to  represent  his 
church  on  earth;  to  show  its  nature,  consistency  and 
design.  It  was  a  part  of  the  furniture  of  the  Taber- 
nacle, and  shown  to  Zechariah  in  vision.  And  Christ 
in  his  seniion,  biings  it  into  view  in  its  proper  use,  to 
hold  up  the  candle  of  the  ministry  he  was  about  to 
light  up,  to  illuminate  this  dark  world.  And  here  the 
seven  candlesticks  represent  the  churches  which  were 
in  Asia. 

**  The  precious  material  of  which  the  candlestick 


JEfebE    MERCER,  3GI 

used  in  sacicd  figure  was  composed,  shows  the  prc- 
ciousiiess,  nature  and  consistency  of  the  church  of 
Christ,  us  it  is  in  (he  divine  estimate,  and  what  all 
churches  ought  to  be  in  practice,  as  near  as  the  frailty 
of  human  wisdom,  and  careful  endeavor  Avill  admit. 
Moses  was  commanded  to  make  the  candlestick  of 
pure  gold.  TJiat  shown  to  Zechariah  was  all  of  gold. 
And  here  the  seven  were  golden  candlesticks.  This 
quality  in  the  candlesticks  must  have  been  designed 
to  represent  some  special  trait  of  character  in  the 
churches  of  Christ,  and  it  is  easiest  to  conceive  that 
which  it  is  most  appropriate  to  show,  that  is,  of  what 
the  churches  are  composed,  their  preciousness  and 
durability.     And, 

"First;  of  li'hat  the  churches,  according  to  the  di- 
vine purpose,  are  composed. 

*'  It  is  altogether  reasonable  to  conclude  that  God, 
on  determining  to  make  himself  a  residence  on  earth, 
would  choose  out  and  build  it  of  such  materials  as 
would  do  him  honor.  Accordingly,  we  find  all  the 
figures  and  proj^hecies  of  the  Old  Testament,  relat- 
ing to  this  subject,  show  that  the  house  whose  founda- 
tion and  builder  is  God,  is  framed  of  such  materials 
as  constitute  it  *  the  j^ofcction  of  hcauty^  This  view, 
the  choice  materials  and  exquisite  workmanship  of 
the  tabernacle,  and  afterwards,  the  still  more  excel- 
lent materials  and  the  acutcr  workmanship  of  the 
temple,  illustiate  and  confirm. — The  Zion  of  God, 
which  he  loved,  was  accordingly  composed  only  of  the 
sons  of  God,  who  were  comparable  to  fine  gold,  yea, 
to  most  fine  gold.  They  v/ere  his  sanctified  ones — 
his  jewels,  whom  he  had  reserved  to  himself  to  show 
forth  his  praise.  Of  this  ecclesiastical  characteristic, 
the  first  church  constituted  by  the  apostles,  was  a  fair 
exemplar.     It  was  built   up  in  '  tlie  apostles^  doctrine 


362  MEMOIRS  OF 

and,  fellowship^  that  is,  they  were  constituted  in  the 
belief  of  the  truths  taught  by  the  apostles,  having 
gained  fellowship  with  them,  by  the  profession  of  it. 
And  it  is  also  evident  that  they  had  gained  fellowship 
one  with  another,  for  they  luere  of  one  accord,  of  one 
heart  and  one  soul.  This  apostolic  example  forms  the 
true  pattern  for  the  constitution  of  all  after  churches. 
We  are  not  informed  of  the  particular  ceremony  used 
by  the  apostles  in  the  constitution  of  this  church  ;  nor 
indeed  are  we  of  the  form  used  in  the  constitution  of 
any  of  the  New  Testament  churches ;  but  the  ac- 
eoimt  given  of  those  churches,  leaves  no  doubt  but 
that  they  were  regularly  constituted,  as  was  the  first 
church,  in  '■the  ajiostles^  doctrine  and  fell  mvshijy.^  It 
cannot  be  questioned  for  a  moment  but  that  they  who 
believed,  repented  and  were  baptized,  on  the  day  of 
perttecost,  were  imbodied  as  a  church  of  Jesus  Christ, 
else  how  could  others  have  been  daily  added  to  them 
as  such]  And  that  none  but  true  converts  were 
joined  to  them,  is  evident  from  the  fact,  that  the  Lord 
added  to  them,  and  only  such  as  should  be  saved^ 
And  such  were  the  solemnities  thrown  around  those 
who  were  invited  in  fellowship,  that  it  is  said,  *  of  the 
rest  durst  no  man  join  himself  to  them;  but  believers 
were  the  more  added  to  the  Lord.'  Paul  speaks  of 
tliose  who-  should  be  built  up  in  church  union ^  a&  gold, 
silver,  and  precious  stones  ;  and  Peter  as  lively  stones, 
built  up  a  spiritual  house.  It  is  plain  the  scriptures 
nowhere  admit  of  a  mixture  of  membership  in  the 
churches  of  Christ.  It  follows,  therefore,  that  all 
churches  (so  called)  built  upon  any  other  principle,  or 
formed  together  on  any  other  model,  or  consolidated 
on  any  national  foundation,  are  only  human  establish- 
ments, and  fail  of  the  true  consistency  af  the  churches 
of  Jesus  Christ. 


JESSE    MERCER.  363 

**  Secondly.      T/ic  prcciousness  of  Christ's  church. 

"  To  show  how  precious  the  church  is  to  Chiist,  I 
need  to  say  nothing  more  tlian  that  he  gave  himself 
for  her.  The  worth  of  any  thing  is  to  be  estimated 
by  the  value  of  the  price  it  costs.  Then  in  this  case, 
the  valne  to  be  set  upon  the  church  must  be  infinite ; 
for  he  did  not  redeem  her  with  silver  and  gold,  but 
with  his  own  precious  blood — and  wlio  can  calculate 
the  worth  of  Christ's  blood  1  O  how  precious  must 
Ishe  church  have  been  to  Christ !  llie  interest  which 
he  takes  in  his  people  i^asscth  hnowlcdgc.  Paul  rep- 
resents it  as  *  the  riches  of  the  glo7-y  of  his  (Christ's) 
inheritance  in  the  saints.' — But  who  can  estimate  the 
riches  of  his  glory  1  Who  can  put  a  value  upon  un- 
searchable riches  % 

"  There  is  another  view  in  which  Christ's  people 
are  precious.  That  is  comj^lacently.  This  is  in  re- 
gard to  what .  they  arc  by  his  grace  bestowed  upon 
them,  and  the  purposes  of  mercy  designed  to  be  ac- 
complished by  their  instrumentality.  By  his  gi'ace 
he  forms  them  for  himself.  The  design  which  Christ 
had  in  view  when  he  gave  himself  ior  his  people,  was 
that  he  might  present  them  to  himself  a  glorious 
church.  And  for  this  puqiose  they  were  chosen  in 
him  ;  and  he  is  made  of  God  unto  them  wisdom,  and 
righteousness y  and  sanctif  cation,  and  redemption.  And 
in  accordance  the  church  sings,  *  I  will  gi'catly  rejoice 
in  the  Lord,  my  soul  shall  be  joyful  in  my  God,  for 
he  hath  clothed  me  with  the  garments  of  salvation, 
he  h-ath  covered  me  with  the  robe  of  righteousness, 
as  a  bridegroom  decketh  himself  with  ornaments,  and 
as  a  bride  adometh  herself  with  her  jewels.'  To  the 
same  end  it  is  said,  *  the  king's  tlaughter  is  all  glorious 
within;  her  clothing  is  of  wrought  gold.' 

"And  again.     *  Tliis  people-,'  saith  the  Lord-,  *  have 


3G4  MEJVIOIKS    OF 

I  formed  tor  myself;  they  shall  show  forth  my  praise.' 
And  of  every  one  of  his  people,  he  saith,  *  I  have 
created  him  for  ray  glory.'  And  hence  the  command, 
— 'Declare  his  glory  among  the  heathen;  his  mar- 
vellous works  among  all  nations.'  It  is  clearly  the 
purpose  of  God,  through  the  instrumentality  of  his 
sanctified  ones,  to  fill  the  world  with  his  knowledge 
and  praise.  And  hence  David  prays,  and  every  pi-  , 
ous  Christian  prays, — '  Let  the  people  pi^ise  thee,  O 
God ;  let  all  the  people  praise  thee.  O  let  the  na- 
tions be  glad,  and  sing  for  joy:  and  let  the  whole 
earlh  be  filled  with  his  glory. — Amen,  and  Amen.' 
*'  Thirdly.  The  durability  of  the  church  of  Christ^ 
"  The  indestructible  character  of  the  church  of 
Christ  is  not  only  indicated  by  the  golden  quality  of 
the  candlesticks,  but  by  Paul's  gold,  silver,  and  pre- 
cious stones,  and  Peter's  lively  stones,  showing  clearly 
the  imperishable  nature  of  those  of  whom  God  has 
instituted  his  churches  should  be  built.  God  saith, 
I  lay  in  Zion  for  a  foundation  a  precious  stone ;  and 
the  gospel  order  is,  that  precious  stones  be  built  upon 
it.  In  perfect  accordance  Christ  says,  upon  this  rock, 
(this  precious  corner  stone,)  I  build  my  church,  and 
the  gates  of  hell  shall  never  prevail  against  it.  The 
Zion  which  the  Lord  loves,  he  founded  for  himself, 
and  therefore  declares  she  shall  never  be  moved. 
Paul  in  unison  says,  we  have  received  a  kingdom 
which  cannot  be  moved ;  or  as  is  said  of  the  kingdom 
signified  by  the  stone  cut  out  of  the  mountain,  it  shall 
stand  for  ever.  This  enduring  character  of  the  church 
is  derived  from  her  union  wdth  Christ.  From  him, 
as  her  head  and  source  of  all  spiritual  and  divine  in- 
fluence, she  derives  her  life — and  that  is  eternal  life — 
she  is  made  partaker  of  the  divine  nature ;  and  from 
him,  as  her  formation,  being  formed  in  him,  and  iitly 


JESSE    MERCER.  263 

IVamctl  into  him,  she  receives  her  strength  and  salva- 
tion— she  is  buikled  up  a  gloiious  church—  a  spiritual 
house,  which  shall  never  he  confounded,  world  with- 
out end. 

"  But  it  has  been  said,  that  though  the  church,  as 
S2cch,  cannot  be  destroyed,  yet  the  individual  members 
may.  Their  safety  being  conditioned  on  their  faith 
and  obedience,  which  may  fail.  They  may  perish. 
To  this  I  allege;  that,  as  the  body  is  composed  of  its 
members,  if  they  can  perish,  it  follows  as  a  matter  of 
course  that  the  body  may  also.  The  parts  of  any 
whole  being  destroyed,  the  whole  must  be  lost  also. 
So  then  the  only  way  in  which  the  church,  as  a  hody^ 
can  be  secure,  is  in  the  security  of  each  member ;  for 
if  one  member  may  fall,  it  follows  so  may  all.  But 
the  scriptures  have  provided  amply  against  this  sug- 
gestion. I  shall  only  refer  to  a  few  passages.  Isaiah 
admits  that  the  Zion  of  God  may  become,  by  various 
and  severe  afflictions,  distressing  and  even  over- 
whelming calamities,  a  city  of  solemnities ;  yet  an- 
nounces her  to  be  a  tabernacle  that  shall  not  be  taken 
down.  And  then,  as  if  to  prevent  the  doubt  that 
some  of  the  parts  might  bo  injured  or  lost,  he  adds, 
not  one  of  the  stakes  thereof  shall  ever  he  removed,  nei- 
ther shall  any  of  the  cords  thereof  he  hroken.  Our 
Lord  says  it  is  not  the  will  of  his  Father  that  one  of 
the  little  ones  who  believe  in  him  should  perish.  And 
again :  that  he  came  into  the  world,  that  whosoever 
should  believe  in  him,  should  not  -perish,  hut  have 
eternal  life.  God  having  promised  his  Son  a  nume- 
rous seed  that  should  serve  him  and  endure  for  ever,  it 
was  provided  in  the  stipulations  of  the  everlasting 
covenant,  that  should  any  of  them  fall  away  into  neg- 
ligence and  crime,  their  transgression  and  iniquity 
sliould    be   vi.sitecl^  with    the   stripes  of  the   Father's 


^^QG  MEMOIRS    OF 

chastisiHg  rod,  which  is  always  clone  in  love,  and  fot 
their  profit,  and  in  faithfulness  to  him,  of  whose  trav- 
ail of  soul,  they  were  to  be  both  the  fruit  and  reward. 
Now  then,  if  the  wandering  will  be  restored,  (and 
that  they  will,  see  the  parable  of  the  hundred  sheep, 
and  mark  its  bearing  on  this  case,)  the  good  and  obe- 
dient children  will  doubtless  be  saved ;  and  then  as  a 
matter  of  course,  all  will  be  saved  ;  and  our  Lord  will 
be  able,  with  joyful  acclamation,  to  say  to  his  Father, 
*  behold  I  and  the  children  which  God  hath  given  me.' 
"A  few  r-eflections  will  close  this  number.  How 
wonderful  is  the  kinoi^dom  of  God — the  church  of 
Christ  on  earth  !  glorious  things  are  spoken  of  Zion, 
the  city  of  God.  For  her  defence,  salvation  has  God 
appointed  for  walls  and  bulwarks.  Her  safety,  there- 
fore, is  in  the  munition  of  rocks.  Thousrh  hosts  of 
men  and  devils  may  encamp  against  her,  yet  the  in- 
habitants may  be  undismayed,  rejoice  and  be  strong 
and  confident  in  this,  that  with  their  besiegers,  in  all 
the  mighty  multitude  of  them,  there  is  but  an  arm  of 
flesh,  but  with  them  is  the  Lord  iheir  God  to  help 
them,  and  to  fight  their  battles.  Their  bread  shall  be 
given  them,  and  their  waters  shall  be  sure.  We  may 
safely  exclaim,  happy  art  thou  O  Israel,  who  is  like 
unto  thee,  O  people  saved  by  the  Lord,  who  is  the 
shield  of  thy  help,  and  the  sword  of  thy  excellency. 
But  let  no  man  deceive  himself,  and  conclude  from 
hence,  that  he  may  indulge  in  the  gratification  of  his 
lusts,  and  live  according  to  the  pleasures  of  the  fleslr, 
cmd  be  safe:  For  if  ye  live  after  the  flesh,  ye  shall 
die.  *  There  is  in  the  doctrine  of  believers'  perse- 
verance in  grace,  no  tendency  to  licentiousness.  'Tis 
only  as  the  fruits  of  faith  and  love  abound  in  them, 
showing  them  to  be  the  children  of  God,  that  they 
have  any  right  to  claim  the  joys  of  this  salvation.    Let 


JESSE    MERCER.  3C7 

all,  therefore,  who  name  the  name  of  the  Lord,  in 
profession,  denying  all  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts, 
strive  to  live  soberly,  righteously  and  godly  in  the 
present  world,  while  they  are  looking  for  that  blessed 
hope  and  glorious  appearing  of  the  gieat  God,  even 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  into  eternal  life,  which  he  has 
promised  to  all  them  that  love  him." 


^^ Hear  ichat  the  Sjurif  saith  unto  the  Churches^^ 
No.  3. 

**  By  the  appropriate  use  of  the  candlestick,  the 
Spirit  teaches  the  churches  their  proper  and  impera- 
tive duty.  As  the  candlestick  holds  up  a  lighted  can- 
dle, that  it  may  give  light  to  all  in  the  room,  so  the 
churches  are  to  hold  up  the  light  of  divine  ti-uth  to  the 
nations  of  the  earth,  enveloped  in  gi-oss  darkness. 
The  light  by  which  the  churches  are  to  shine,  is  two- 
fold :  First — Tltc  light  of  grace  which  they  received 
in  regeneration,  and  which  is  supported  and  increased 
by  the  indwelling  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ.  Every  be- 
liever is  a  lighted  lamp,  a  number  of  whom  being 
gathered  into  church  union,  makes  the  church  a 
luminous  body.  Thus  Paul  says  to  the  saints  at 
Ephesus,  *  ye  were  sometimes  darkness,  but  now 
are  ye  light  in  the  Lord.'  The  duty  of  church 
members,  in  this  regard  is  also  two-fold:  First — In 
usino:  their  Q:ifts,  and  manifcstino;-  their  c^races  in  the 
most  impressive  manner,  one  to  another,  and  to  those 
with  whom  they  are  conversant,  individually.  And 
secondly;  in  their  united  church  state,  to  act  in  uni- 
son with  the  body,  in  making  known  the  knowledge 
of  Christ  to  the  world,  among  whom  they  shine  as 
lights.  This  position  will  commend  itself  to  every 
man's  conscience  at  once,   that   the   performance  of 


3G8  MEMOIRS    OF 

those  great  ecclesiastical  duties,  which  are  essential  to 
the  fulfilment  of  the  important  pui-poses  for  which 
they  were  raised  up  together,  and  made  to  sit  together 
in  heavenly  places  in  Christ — even  in  a  gospel  church 
state,  depends  on  a  proper  and  faithful  discharge  of 
the  sacred  obli stations  which  rest  on  the  members  as 
individuals.  For  in  proportion  as  the  members  are 
fervent  in  love,  holy  in  devotion,  and  godly  in  prac- 
tice, the  church  will  be  active  in  every  good  work, 
aboundinGf  in  all  the  fruits  of  rio^hteousness,  which  are 
by  Jesus  Christ  to  the  glory  of  God.  But  as  the  mem- 
bers are  carnally  minded,  conformed  to  the  vv'orld, 
and  negligent  in  religious  duties,  or  only  perform 
them  in  a  formal  manner,  as  a  matter  of  course,  so 
will  the  church  dwindle  into  insignificance,  and  be- 
come to  the  community  a  curse  rather  than  a  blessing. 
How  important  then  is  it,  that  each  member  should 
have  his  lamp  trimmed  and  his  light  buming,  that  in 
himself,  and  one  with  the  church,  he  may,  as  not  be- 
ing his  own,  but  bought  vs'itli  a  price,  even  the  precious 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  glorify  God  in  his  body,  and  in 
his  spirit  which  are  God's!  Secondly.  The  light 
of  the  gospel  ministry.  This  ministry  is  Christ's  light- 
ed candle  to  illume  the  world  with  the   lio-ht  of  the 

o 

knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ.  This,  the  churches  are  raised  up  to  support 
and  strengthen  in  the  propagation  of  the  word  of  life, 
which  can  be  done  only  by  sustaining  the  ministers 
thereof,  as  the  gifts  of  Christ  to  them  ;  for  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  and  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ, 
(or  the  whole  church  of  God,)  till  the  gracious  design 
be  brought  to  a  happy  and  glorious  perfection.  This 
indispensable  duty  requires  to  be  discharged  in  two 
ways.  First,  hy  a  due  regard  to  their  character  and 
standing  before   the  jtiiulic.       Ministers  must   have   a 


JESSE    MERCER.  369 

good  report  from  those  loUo  arc  without. — For  which 
purpose,  all  who  approve  themselves  as  the  ministers 
of  Christ  should  be  received  icith  all  gladness  and 
7icld  in  reputation ;  for  how  can  they  have  a  good 
estimation  among  the  people,  unless  their  brethren 
are  careful  to  commend  them  to  their  respectful  at- 
tention ! — In  this  most  needful  particular,  I  think 
many  churches  are  very  defective.  They,  (at  least 
many  among  them,  who  would  be  thought  knowing 
ones,)  have,  instead  of  commending  in  the  best  man- 
ner they  could,  rather  held  an  evil,  critical  eye  on 
their  preachers,  especially  on  those  who  are  coming 
forward  as  candidates  for  the  ministry.  And  their 
mistakes  and  slips  have  been  waxed  and  magnified 
into  faults,  and  these  very  imprudently  have  been 
made  the  topics  of  free  remark  before  the  multitude, 
no  little  to  the  detriment  of  the  incumbents.  The 
light  estimation  in  which  many  ministers  have  been 
held  may  be  owing,  in  a  great  degree,  to  the  cheap 
rate  at  which  ordinations  have  been  had  in  many  of 
our  churches.  From  a  pretty  extensive  observation, 
I.  am  of  opinion,  that  in  many  instances,  a  reckless- 
ness has  been  indulged  in  regard  to  scripture  require- 
ments. In  examinations  for  ordination,  the  object  has 
not  been  so  much  to  ascertain  whether  the  brother 
about  to  be  set  apart  to  the  gos23el  ministry,  was  ahle 
and  apt  to  teach  its  great  fundamental  and  mystenous 
truths,  and  by  his  experimental  feelings  and  religious 
views,  to  gain  a  reasonable  and  satisfactory  evidence 
that  God  had  made  him  by  his  Spirit  and  grace,  an 
ahle  minister  of  the  New  Testament,  as  to  know  his 
views  on  a  {q,\v  systematical  points  of  doctrine,  and 
his  popular  standing  as  a  preacher,  which  has  been 
taken  as  good  evidence  of  usefulness. — Thus  a  good 
slight    ;it   declamation    and  exhortation  has  been  re- 

17 


370  MEMOIRS    OF 

ceived  as  ability  sufficient  to  preach  and  defend  the 
deep  things  of  God,  and  to  explain  and  enforce  the 
ordinances  of  Christ.  But  where  little  has  been  re- 
quired, little  has  been  sought  for  or  attained.  And  so 
it  has  turned  out,  that  many  a  man,  ordained  of  men 
to  preach,  has  had  neither  talent  nor  ministerial  repu- 
tation sufficient  to  sustain  a  commendation.  Never- 
theless, it  behooves  the  churches,  in  my  judgment,  to 
see  to  it  that  their  ministers  always  bear  proper  cre- 
dentials and  letters  of  commendation,  at  all  times  and 
in  all  places,  where  they  may,  in  the  providence  of 
God,  be  placed. 

"  But  secondly ;  hy  affording  them  of  the  good 
things  of  this  life,  a  comjyetent  support.  If  any  one 
will  look  soberly  at  the  work  of  the  ministry,  he  will 
see  at  once  that  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  have  no 
time  to  spare  to  labor  for  their  own  support.  This 
the  scripture  has  foreseen  and  provided  for,  by  mak- 
ing it  the  duty  of  the  churches  to  support  the  minis- 
try. This  has  always  been  God's  plan ;  and  wherever 
an  attempt  has  been  made  to  change  it,  it  has  been  at- 
tended with  a  curse. — Look  at  Israel  after  the  flesh. 
The  tribe  of  Levi,  who  were  appointed  to  the  service 
of  the  sanctuary,  had  no  landed  inheritance  among 
their  brethren,  but  were  provided  for  by  the  tithes 
w^hich  the  other  tribes  were  to  pay  according  to  the 
statutes  of  the  Lord  ;  plainly  indicating  that  the  min- 
isters of  the  spiritual  Israel  should  be  supported  by 
the  churches,  independent  of  their  own  labors.  Let 
it  suffice  to  say  again,  this  is  God's  plan,  and  should 
be  punctually  and  faithfully  executed.  Let  us  exam- 
ine into  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  see  what  minis- 
ters have  to  perform,  and  it  will  readily  appear  that 
they  must  be  supported  by  the  churches,  or  the  work 
will  go  undone.     This  will  be  clearly  seen  by  a  criti- 


jrrssE  METirETi.  371 

cal  notice  of  Christ's  illustration  of  his  design,  when 
he  said  to  his  disciples,  *yc  arc  the  light  of  the  world? 
To  give  his  meaning  an  impressive  bearing  on  their 
minds,  (and  on  ours  too,)  he  laid  down  two  proposi- 
tions of  universal  admission.  The  first  is,  *  A  city 
that  is  set  on  a  hill,  cannot  be  hid.'  He  alludes,  doubt- 
less, to  a  city  with  lamps  burning,  else  the  darkness 
<©f  the  night  would  hide  it.  But  a  city  set  on  a  hill, 
and  well  lighted,  is  not  only  inconcealablc,  Init  throws 
its  light  out  in  every  direction,  so  that  the  lost  and 
benighted  traveller  may  find  the  highway  whic;h  leads 
to  safety  and  rest :  or  as  a  light-house,  built  on  some 
projecting  promorrtory,  directs  the  stonn-beaten  nnd 
distressed  mariner  safely  into  port.  This  most  plainly 
shows  that  Christ  intended  his  churches,  built  on  '■the 
high  kill  of  God?  and  lighted  by  the  glorious  gospel, 
should  throw  their  light  on  all  parts  of  the  surround- 
ing country  :  so  that  the  lost  sinner,  involved  in  worse 
than  Egyptian  darkness,  may  be  .enlightened  and 
guided  into  the  way  to  peace  and  salTation.  But  our 
Lord  does  not  stop  here — He  adds  still  more  impress- 
ively, *  Men  do  not  liglit  a  candle  and  put  it  under  a 
bushel,  but  on  a  candlestick,  and  it  giveth  light  unto 
all  that  are  in  the  house.'  The  house  here  answers  to 
the  irorld  used  in  tlie  statute — *  yc  are  the  light  of  the 
world?  And  if  any  should  inquire  what  is  meant  by 
the  '  world,'  the  commission  must  explain  it.  Go  ye, 
teach  all  nations — go  ye  ruloall  the  world,  and  preach 
the  gospel  to  exery  creature.  Repentance  and  remis- 
sion of  sins  should,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  be  preached 
<imong  all  n<ations.  This  is  all  plain.  Our  Lord  in 
this  positian  says  to  his  disciples,  (and  to  all  churches 
and  ministers,)  I  have  lighted  you  as  a  candle,  which 
is  not  to  be  obscured,  but  to  be  put  on  my  candlestick 
— the  church,  that  it  may  give  light  to  all  the  ends  of 


372  IWEMOIRS    OF 

the  earth.  The  duty  here  inculcated  cannot  he  mis^ 
taken,  neither  by  ministers  nor  churches ;  and  they 
ought  to  consider  themselves  systematically  united  in 
this  great  work,  and  bound  to  co-operate  in  it. 

"  B?o.  Stokes, — Just  here  I  was  ari'ested  by  in- 
creased personal  and  domestic  afflictions,  and  forced 
to  stop.  I  hoped  I  should  be  able  to  resume  the 
work  in  some  short  time,  but  circumstances  which 
have  transpired  since,  have  precluded  it.  I  cherished 
the  hope  I  should  be  able  to  do  something  at  it  at  thi* 
place,  but  stilly  imbecility,  both  of  body  and  mind, 
forbids  it.  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  to  send  you 
the  foregoing  now,  and  promise,  if  God  will  permit, 
to  send  you  at  least  two  others.  One  on  the  inde- 
pendence and  accountability  of  the  churches,  and  the 
relative  position  of  the  ministry  to  them,  and  the  other 
on  their  government,  its  extent  and  final  jurisdiction* 

"Jesse  Merger." 

"  Penfield,  July  20t7i,  1841." 

It  has  ever  been  a  matter  of  deep  interest  (and  most 
naturally  so,)  with  the  people  of  God,  to  know  with 
what  kind  of  emotions  a  long-tried,  and  eminent  servant 
of  Christ  looks  forward  into  eternity  as  he  is  going 
rapidly  down  the  declivity  of  life.  Mr.  Mercer  was 
sometimes  approached  by  intimate  and  confidential 
brethren  on  this  subject.  His  remarks  in  substance 
were;  "I  have  no  ecstatic  joys  ;  not  so  much  of  that 
triumphant  assurance  which  some  speak  of;  but  an 
humble  hope  of  heaven,  an  habitual,  calm  reliance 
on  my  blessed  Redeemer,  which  enables  me  to  con- 
template my  approaching  end  with  composure,  undis- 
turbed by  any  very  distressing  apprehensions."  In 
the  following  extract  from  a  letter  to  a  beloved  minis- 
tering brother,  written  in   January,  1841,  there  is  nn 


ri 


^ik^4 


•^1  ^ 


JEtSSE    MERCEU.  373 

allusion  to  his  state  of  mind,  in  view  of  his  final  change. 
After  referring  to  a  little  matter  of  a  somewhat  un- 
pleasant nature,  and  which  had  occasioned  him  some 
mortification,  he  adds,  "  I  hope  you  will  feel  no  dis- 
pleasure against  your  humble  servant — he  really  ac- 
counts you  a  good  minister  of  JesTis  Christ,  and  is 
always  pleased  to  hear  you  ;  and  I  hope  and  pray  the 
Lord  may  abundantly  crown  your  labors  in  the  Lord 
with  success. 

"  And  now  what  shall  I  say  to  my  brother  1  I  may 
never  write  to  him,  or  see  him  more  in  life.  Why,  my 
brother,  be  strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  jDOwer  of 
his  grace,  and  he  tlioii  faitliful  unto  death. 

"  You  may  wish  to  know  how  I  feel  in  the  prospect 
of  my  departure  being  at  hand.  I  can  say  little  more 
tl^an  that  I  have  no  fears  thus  far  on  the  path  of  the  dark 
valley.  I  have  long  since  given  my  eternal  destiny 
up  into  the  hands  of  God,  and  am  satisfied  with  his 
disposal  of  me  in  sickness  and  in  death,  and  for  eter- 
nity. My  love  to  all  the  dear  brethren  in  your  parts. 
The  Lord  be  specially  with  thee.     Farewell  ] " 


CHAPTER   XV. 


Mr.  Mercer's  decline  regarded  with  sorrow. — His  last  Sermon. — 
Sketch  of  the  Sermon. — Visits  Penfield. — Letter  to  Mr.  Sturgis. — 
Visits  Indian  Spiings. — Letter  to  Mr.  Sturgis. — His  Death. — 
Mr.  Carter's  Letter  in  relation  to  liis  death. — Resolutions  of  the 
Washington  Baptist  Chinch. — Of  the  rrcshyterian  Church. — 
Notice  of  Mr.  Sturgis'  Funeral  Sermon. 

We  look  with  painful  interest  upon  decaying  ob- 
jects which  we  revere  and  love.  We  even  sympa- 
thize with  the  ulyects  of  nature  around  us,  and  often 


374  MEMOrKS    OF 

gaze  upon  their  decline  with  melancholy  emotions. 
The  aged  tree  which  stood  so  long  by  our  paternal 
residence,  whichi  cast  its  grateful  shadow  over  our 
childish  sports,  and  often  perhaps  refreshed  us  in  man- 
hood's years,  as  it  exhibited  symptoms  of  decay,  was 
gazed  upon  with  a  kind  of  filial  soitow  ; 

*  And  when  a  hapless  branch,  torn  by  the  blast, 
Fell  down,  «'e  mourned  as  if  a  friend  had  fallen/ 

With  how  much  deeper  emotion  do  we  look  upon  the 
waning  life  of  the  aged  man  of  God,  wiio  for  half  a 
century  ha&  stood  before  the  people  on  a  bright  and 
commanding  elevation,  pre-eminent  in  piety,,  unequal- 
led in  wisdom,  distinguished  for  usefulness,  and  the 
object  of  almost  universal  confidence,  admiration  and 
love.  Such  an  object  v^ras  the  venerable  Mercer ;  and 
with  the  deepest  emotions  of  sorrow  did  his  Christian 
brethren  gaze  upon  his  wasting  forai. 

Early  in  the  month  of  June  Mr.  Mercer  ascended 
the  pulpit  for  the  last  time,  to  address  his^  fellow  men 
upon  the  all  important  concerns  of  eternity.  It  being 
previously  known  in  the  town  that  he  was  to  preach,, 
(perhaps  his  final  sermon,)  the  other  houses  of  worship 
were  closed,  and  a  large  assembly  convened  to  hear 
his  solemn  valedictory.  He  spoke  for  about  an  hour 
with  considerable  freedom  and  animation ;  and  under 
a  very  impressive  sense  of  obligations  to  be  faithful 
with  the  souls  of  the  people.  The  discourse  evident- 
ly made  a  deep  impression  •  and  though  some  might 
have  taken  exception  to  his  pointed  remarks  on  the 
subject  of  Christian  duty,  and  on  what  he  considered 
disorderly  and  unscriptural  in  connexion  with  reli- 
gious excitements,  yet  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  many  will 
long  cherish  a  profitable  remembrance  of  this  his  dy- 


JESSE    MERCER.  375 

ing  testimony.  The  following  is  a  brief  sketch  of  this 
discourse,  as  it  subsequently  appeared  in  the  Chris- 
tian Index. 

"  The  text  was  1  Sam.  12  :  23.  As  for  me,  God  for- 
bid  that  I  should  sin  against  the  Lord,  in  ceasing  to 
jtray  for  you  ;  but  I  zcill  teach  you  the  good  and  the 
right  way. 

"  The  introduction  noticed  the  sin  and  folly  of  the 
Israelites  in  choosing  for  themselves  a  king.  Of  this 
Samuel  had  now  so  forcibly  reminded  them,  that  they 
confess  the  *  evil  *  and  entreat  his  intercession  for 
them  with  the  Lord." 

"  The  DOCTRINE  sought  to  be  established  was — The 
solicitude  of  faithful  ministers  for  their  people  in  cases 
of  manifest  departures  from  the  good  and  right  way. 
They  do  not  only  pray  for  them,  but  they  remonstrate 
and  teach,  &c.  Jer.  20  :  S,  9.  Rom.  9  :  1,  2,  3. 
2  Cor.  12  :  15. 

"  What  do  they  teach  ?  The  good  and  the  right 
way.  AVherein  does  it  consist  ]  First,  in  the  way  of 
truth  and  holiness,  as  it  is  the  object  of  faith  ;  see  Jer. 
6  :  16.  Isa.  35  :  8.  2  Peter  2  :  2.  and  secondly,  the 
way  of  obedience,  in  which  only  God  can  be  worship- 
ped acceptably.  The  preacher  was  inclined  to  believe 
Samuel  had  this  way  of  obedience  in  view,  because 
he  subjoins,  *  Only  fear  the  Lord,  and  serve  him  in 
tmth  with  all  your  heart.' 

"  In  the  remainder  of  the  discourse,  he  wished  to 
call  the  special  attention  of  the  congregation  to  a  few 
indispensable  particulars  of  the  good  and  the  right 
way,  in  which  God  can  be  truly  and  acceptably  wor- 
shipped. To  render  a  service,  which  can  be  good  and 
right  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  it  must  be  done, — 

1.  In  Faith.  Faith  is  general  and  particular ;  ge?ie- 


376  .MEMOIKt!    OF 

ral  as  it  embraces  all  revealed  truth,  and  leads  tu  the 
due  observance  of  it ;  and  particular  as  it  acknow- 
ledges the  authority  of  God  to  command  and  the  im- 
plicit obligation  of  men  to  obey.  Heb.  11:6.  Isa. 
42  :  8.     Mai.  1  :  6.     Rev.  4  :  11. 

2.  According  to  the  divine  order  or  requirement, 
1  Chron.  15  :  12.  Isai.  29  :  13.  Jer.  19  :  5.  Mutt. 
15  :  69.  He  here  expressed  a  "wish  to  notice  several 
points  of  modern  church  organization  and  practice,  in 
which  the  divine  requirement  was  not  duly  waited  for. 
The  whole  fabric  of  a  church,  its  materials,  the  mode 
of  uniting  them,  independence,  &:c.  were  topics  of 
pure  revelation,  on  w^iich  he  could  not  dwell  as  he 
felt  their  importance  to  demand.  He  came,  however, 
to  this  point — That  whatever  in  religious  worship  was 
based  on  tradition  or  human  invention,  must  be  con- 
demned as  *  vain  '  worship  ;  because  it  either  set  aside 
the  commands  of  God,  or  added  to  them. 

"  3.  In  love.     Deut.  6  :  4,  5.     1  John  5  :  3. 

"  4.  Reverently.  Ps.  4  :  4,  5.  95  :  6,  7.  John  4  : 
23,  24.  Phil.  2  :  12.  Heb.  12  :  28.  Allusion  was 
here  made  to  the  occasional  confusion  in  revivals  as 
inconsistent  with  reverent  worship,  and  as  condemned 
by  the  apostle  in  1  Cor.  14th  chap. 

"  It  may  be  said,  however,  by  some,  our  brother 
remarked,  that  much  good  aj^pears  to  be  effected  in 
the  course  of  these  exercises,  and  how  can  this  be 
admitted  if  we  may  not  regard  them  as  of  God  1  One 
or  two  extremes  were  specified.  Here  was  a  case  of 
convulsions.  A  woman  of  weak  nei'ves  falls  on  the 
floor  under  preaching.  Is  this  necessarily  of  God  %  Is 
this  to  be  encouraged  as  a  divine  work  %  Then  we 
hear  singing,  shouting,  praying  and  exhortation,  all  at 
once,  in  another  quarter  of  the  assembly.  Is  this  also 
of  God  %     Will  it  bear  the  test  of  common  reason  and 


soiiud  sense  I      IVAatevc?'  is  contranj  to  these  is  not 
of  God. 

"  *  Let  me  take  you,*  he  continued,  *  to  Horeb. 
Tliither  Elijah  had  retired  from  persecution,  and  the 
Lord  had  designed  to  commission  him  for  some  very 
imj)ortant  future  scrs-ices — *  The  Lord  passed  by.* 
Observe,  He  passed  by.  *  And  behold,  a  great  and 
strong  wind  rent  the  mountains,  and  broke  in  pieces 
the  rocks  before  the  Lord.*  An  earthquake  and  a  fire 
succeeded,  whose  effects  are  not  described,  but  we 
may  suppose  them  to  have  been  striking.  The  Lord, 
however,  was  neither  in  the  wind,  the  earthquake,  nor 
the  fire.  But  in  a  '  still  small  voice,'  that  followed, 
his  sei-vant  can  recognise  him.  Elijah  wraps  his  face 
in  his  mantle,  in  reverence.     The  Lord  is  there  ! 

**  *  Now  I  do  not  say  that  in  some  of  the  extreme 
agitations  and  excitements  to  which  I  object,  the  effect 
of  some  ajij^roaches  of  the  Lord  upon  our  weak  and 
erring  natures,  may  not  be  seen.  But  the  Lord,  as  I 
conceive,  is  not  in  them.  Especially  when  indulged 
in  as  some  end  of  a  revival :  somethinof  to  be  frloried 
in  and  promoted  as  in  itself  desirable.  Revivals 
driven  on  to  such  extremes  become,  I  must  say,  no 
longer  acceptable.  They  involve  that  confusion  of 
which  God  is  not  the  author.' 

"  He  illustrated  his  views  from  1  Cor.  14  chap.  This 
was  a  church  that  came  behind  in  *  no  gift.'  They 
were  enriched  in  all  utterance  and  knowledge ;  but 
became  very  confused  in  their  public  assemblies,  by 
a  defective  and  irreverent  management  of  those  gifts. 
The  apostle  in  rectifying  this,  supplies  us  with  some 
simple  but  invaluable  principles  that  should  regulate 
all  our  assemblies.  The  cardinal  point  is — *  edifica- 
tion'— '  that  the  church,'  the  whole  assembly,  may 
receive  edifying.     To  this  end  there  must  be   order, 

17* 


378  siEMoms  of 

subordination  of  all  spiritual  impulse,  to  a  comiTfon 
object.  There  must  he  rationality.  No  spiritual  gifts 
destroy  men's  natural  faculties^  but  purify,  extend, 
exalt  them  ;  make  reason,  so  to  spccilt,  more  rati^wfiajL 
But  when  *  every  one  had,'  and  would  sing  or  speak, 
bis  own  *  psalm,  doctrine,  or  tongue,'  heedless  of  a 
brother's  re'V^elations  or  the  cormnon  good  in  *  edifica- 
tion, exhortation,  or  comfort,'  will  not  strangers  *  say 
ye  are  madl'  asks  the  apostle — and  a  proper  applica- 
tion of  this  doctrirte  to  modern  times  is,  if  when  direct 
inspiration  was  the  priyilegs  of  the  churches,  (that 
inspiration  which,  as  in  itself  miraculous  and  confirm- 
ed by  miracles,  was  also  infalUMe,^  there  was  a  duty 
of  subordinating  *  the  spiiit  of  the  prophets  ^  to  the 
prophets — and  that  in  fact,  the  government  of  reason, 
and  the  coixesponding  gifts  of  other  brethr^i,  were 
to  be  restraints  on  the  whole,  how  much  less  pretence 
can  any  man  now  have  to  ungovernahle  impulses  as 
from  God — ^how  much  more  Garefully  aiad  reverently 
should  we  seek  to  exercise  all  our  spiritual  gifts ! 

*'  5.  In  view  of  the  glory  of  God  as  its  proper  end  ; 
and  the  good  of  mankind  as  its  subordinate  but  gra- 
cious design." 

He  visited  Penfi^eld  the  latter  part  of  June  for  the 
purpose  of  spending  a  few  weeks  with  his  friends,  and 
attending  the  college  commencement,  and  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees,  both  to  take  place 
the  last  of  July. 

Brother  Absalom  Janes  and  family  had  the  melan- 
choly pleasure  of  ministering  to  this  afflicted  disciple 
during  most  of  his  stay  at  Penfield.  They  speak  of 
him  as  enjoying  at  the  time  a  calm  and  peaceful  irarae 
of  mind,  attending  devoutly  upon  family  worship, 
though  scarcely  able  to  kneel  and  rise  without  assist- 


JESSE    MERCER.  379 

ance  ;  as  appearing  remarkably  fearful  of  giving  trou- 
ble to  the  family,  and  of  conversing  upon  various  sub- 
jects with  great  mental  clearness. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  trustees,  the  writer  of  these 
sketches,  as  well  as  many  other  brethren,  saw  their 
father  in  the  Lord  for  the  last  time.  But  O  how 
changed  was  the  venerable  man  !  Disease  and  care 
had  reduced  his  fine  portly  frame  to  a  mere  skeleton  ; 
his  clothes  hung  loosely  upon  him ;  his  face  was  pal- 
lid and  shrunken  ;  his  voice  was  feeble  and  faltering, 
and  his  steps  trembled  under  his  fading  and  emaciated 
frame.  None  could  gaze  upon  the  dying  man  without 
emotion,  and  hardly  without  tears.  His  countenance 
however,  still  beamed  with  its  wonted  benignity,  his 
words  were  kindness  itself,  and  his  spirit  seemed  to  be 
filled  with  calm  serenity,  and  heavenly  sweetness.  The 
grace  of  God  was  evidently  perforaiing  in  his  heart  its 
last,  blessed  work.  The  infiiTnities  of  the  outer  man 
seemed  to  encumber  the  operations  of  his  fine  vigorous 
mind  less  than  might  have  been  expected  ;  when  rous- 
ed by  some  little  effort,  it  would  beam  forth  with  a 
clear  radiance,  like  that  of  the  western  sun,  which 
reminds  us  that  though  the  orb  of  day  is  fast  sinking 
to  the  horizon,  it  is  still  the  same  bright  orb  which  shed 
upon  us  its  meridian  brightness.  Several  important 
subjects  came  up  for  the  consideration  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  ;  he  would  occasionally,  sitting  in  hischair, 
which  ho  occupied  as  president  of  the  body,  briefly 
express  his  sentiments ;  and  this  was  done  in  a  very 
clear,  connected,  and  appropriate  manner. 

A  letter,  written  from  Penfield  to  his  fellow-laborer 
at  Washington,  may  very  properly  be  introduced  in 
this  place. 


380  MEMOlllS    OF 

''  Penjieldt  July  Jo,   184L 
**  My  Dear  Brother  Sturgis, 

*'  Two  pretty  good  things  have  come  to  pass  to 
day.  We  have  had  a  good  and  refreshing  rain ;  very 
much  wanted  here  and  hereabouts.  It  is  said  in  some 
settlements  the  com,  especially,  is  nearly  exhausted. 
I  hope  however,  it  will  turn  out  better  than  now 
feared.  I  have  heard  it  was  very  dry  and  hot  with 
you,  and  about  the  neighboring  parts.  I  hope  you 
have  had  rains,  as  we  have  seen  good  appearances 
that  way.  The  crop  is  here  said  to  be  the  best  for 
several  years  past,  so  far  as  culture  is  concerned ;  but 
it  must  be  very  much  pinched  and  stinted.  But  the 
other  good  thing  was,  a  good  discourse  from  our  Dr.* 
here.  He  preached  on  the  true  personality  and  real 
divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  I  think  he  did  great 
justice  to  the  subject ;  and  drew  several  very  weighty 
and  comfortable  considerations  from  the  doctrine.  His 
text  was  John  14  :  16. 

"  I  am  now  some  more  comfortable  than  I  have 
been  since  I  came  up  to  Penfield.  I  have  been  pin- 
ing with  an  almost  23erpetual  flatulent  colic,  somewhat 
spasmodic ;  and  have  therefore  been  worse  oft'  than 
before  I  left  home.  The  symptoms  have  abated  and 
I  hope  I  shall  get  better.  T  intend  to  stay  here  among 
the  brethren  till  commencement,  but  what  course  I 
shall  then  take,  I  have  not  yet  detemiined.  So  far  I 
have  abode  with  brother  Janes.  I  think  of  going  in  a 
day  or  two  to  brother  Sanders. 

***** 

*'  I  should  like  you  would  write  me  how  all  are 
getting  on  at  W.     Is  the  work  of  grace  going  on  yet 

*  Kev.  Tho.  Cuiiis. 


JliSaE    MLIlCtU.  381 

amuiiix  the  blacks  i     How  docs  Mrs.  S do  l     Is 

she  worse  or  better  i  Is  any  thing  encouraging  among 
the  whites,  young  or  old  1  I  have  understood  that 
*  *  *  has  joined  the  P.  Church.  Well,  if  he  loved 
father  or  friends  better  than  Christ,  he  is  as  well — 
better  than  with  us. 

*'  I  trust  you  are  so  recovered,  as  to  be  able  to  re- 
sume your  usual  course  of  public  and  private  service; 
and  I  pray  most  earnestly  that  your  labors  may  be 
greatly  succeeded  by  divine  influence.  Religion  here 
is  low,  and  I  think  pretty  generally  so.  Brother  Sher- 
wood has  returned  from  his  tour,  with  brother  Thorn- 
ton, and  says  there  is  very  little  excitement  in  any  of 
the  churches  where  they  travelled. 

"  There  were  two  deaths  in  Greensboro'  last  week. 

A  promising  young  man,  Dr.  M. ;  and  a  Mrs.  C . 

This  lady's  husband  had  been  to  Washington  City 
from  Ala.,  and  she  came  this  far  to  meet  him  on  his 
return  home.  I  can't  tell  you  any  further  of  the  par- 
ticulars of  the  case,  but  it  is  a  distressing  one.  The 
people  in  general  are  healthy.  If  it  will  be  within 
your  convenience,  and  agree  to  your  feelings,  I  should 
like  you  to  go  to  my  house,  and  see  how  they  are  get- 
ting on  ;  especially  in  a  religious  respect.  I  had 
hoped  that  Charlotte  had  some  concern  on  her  mind 
about  her  soul's  and  eternity's  interests,  before  I  left 
home.  I  talked  to  her  of  those  things,  and  urged  her 
to  seek  the  Lord  and  faint  not.  I  should  like  to  know 
if  she  makes  any  progress.  Tell  her  (and  all)  that  I 
have  constant  remembrance  of  them  before  the  throne 
of  grace,  and  hope  she  does  not  fail  to  pray  for  herself 
and  children.  Tell  brother  Henry  I  shall  hope  to  re- 
ceive a  letter  from  him,  unless  he  should  come  up  to 
commencement.  In  that  case  it  would  hardly  be 
worth  while. 


382  MEMOIRS    OP 

**  Give  my  aftectionate  regards  to  sister  S.  and  all 
the  brethren  and  friends  in  W.  as  you  may  find  agree- 
able to  mention  it  to. 

"  I  am,  dear  brother,  yours,  &:c. 

"Jesse  Mercer." 

On  the  4th  of  August,  Mr.  Mercer  left  Penfield,  and 
journeyed  on  to  the  Indian  Springs  in  Butts  county,  hop- 
ing: to  derive  some  benefit  from  the  mineral  virtues  of 
the  water.  For  a  while  his  health  seemed  to  undergo 
some  little  improvement ;  but  he  found  no  radical  and 
lastino- benefit.  The  strength  of  his  disease  remained 
unbroken,  and  it  seemed  evident  that  without  a  speedy 
change  of  a  favorable  character  he  could  not  linger 
much  longer  on  earth.  The  following  letter  to  brother 
Sturgis  was  probably  one  of  the  last  that  he  ever 
wrote. 

**  Indian  Springs,  Aug.  13,  1311. 
♦•My  Dear  Brother  Sturgis, 

"Yours  was  duly  received  at  Penfield.  I  was 
truly  glad  to  receive  the  information  it  gave.  May 
the  Lord  carry  on  the  good  work.  I  can  but  hope  the 
course  taken  by  Miss  S.  will  be  a  blessing  to  others. 
Oh ;  her  poor  mother  1  The  Lord  of  wonders  have 
mercy  on  her,  and  suffer  not  the  soul  that  he  has 
made  to  perish  before  him !  Tell  the  blacks  that  I 
have  constant  remembrance  of  them  in  prayer.  I  fear 
for  the  white  people  of  W.  lest  the  Lord  may  have 
given  them  over  to  their  own  ways.  The  church  I 
think,  has  never  yet  been  in  travail.  O  that  they 
would  be  didy  stirred  up  to  seek  the  Lord  as  they 
should  with  all  their  heart,  and  then  they  would  be 
blessed  with  a  revival  indeed ! 

*'  I  left  Penfield  on  the  4th  much  weakened,  and  a 


JESSE    MERCER.  383 

lax  on  me,  which  had  followed  my  being  relieved  of 
the  colic  which  so  affected   mo    after  I   reached    P, 
This  wasting  disease  increased  on  the  way,  and  is 
ETtiTl  in  some  degree  on  me,  but  I  hope  I  am  on  the 
mend;  and  may  derive  some  benefit  from  this  water. 
It  is  probable  I  shall  stay  here  most  of  the  month  ;  but 
this  depends  on  circumstances.     However,  I  should 
like  to  receive  a  letter  from  you  before  I  leave.     I  re- 
ceived  a  letter  from   brother  Pope    since   yours,   in 
which  he  infoiTned  me  of  the  wind  at  my  house.     He 
did  not  say  any  thing  of  any  other  injury  than  that 
suffered  by  me — but  was  that  all  ?     He  then  thought 
the  work  among  the  blacks  as  general  and  as  great  as 
ever.     Well,  may  the  Lord  carry  it  on  to  great  good  ; 
to  the  salvation  of  many.   I  hear  from  several  churches 
in  these  parts  of  symptoms  for  good,  but  no  great  in- 
gathering.   I  see  little  else  about  here  but  indifference 
and  sin  !     I  am  well  situated  with  brother  Barlow, 
who  keeps  about  a  half-mile  on  the  hill  above  the 
spring.     We  are  very  quiet,  and  have  prayer  night 
and  morning  for  the  most  part ;  but  this  public-house 
keeping,  is  a  poor  business  for  the  raising  of  a  family, 
orfor  family  religion,  or  any  other  !  If  you  can,  write 
me   to  this  i^lace,  on  the  receipt  of  this,  and  let  me 
know  how  matters   and   things  now  stand  ;  how  it  is 
with  those  poor  women,  Mrs.  S.  and  Mrs.  W.,  and  any 
others  in  particular  cases  ;  how  the  work  is  still  with 
the  blacks,  &c.,  &c. 

"  I  hope  the  Lord  sustains  your  heart  and  hand,  in 
his  sei'vice,  and  that  your  strength  will  be  as  your  day 
requires,  and  that  he  will  give  you  much  success  ! 

**  I  hear  of  considerable  sickness  in  the  lower  coun- 
ties ;  about  here  I  think  there  is  but  little.  The  crops 
are  said  to  be  good,  but  there  is  some  complaint  of 
rust  in  the  cotton. 


384  MEMOlllS    OF 

*'  The  weather  is  now  rainy,  and  the  people  will 
have  a  bad  time  probably  to  save  their  fodder.  How 
is  the  prospect  in  Wilkes  1 

"  My  most  ardent  love  and  desire  for  all  the  breth- 
ren, give  to  as  many  as  you  think  it  worth  while  ;  to 
sister  S.  and  the  Dr.,  and  my  servants,  who  will  take 
an  interest  in  hearing  from  me. 

"  I  am,  dear  brother,  yours  truly, 

"  Jesse  Mkrcer." 

On  the  last  Sabbath  in  August,  he  attended  the 
meeting  of  brother  James  Carter  at  the  Springs,  and 
in  the  evening  of  the  same  day  accompanied  that 
brother  to  his  residence,  some  eight  miles  north  of  the 
Springs,  with  the  intention,  should  his  strength  allow, 
of  prosecuting  his  journey  as  far  as  Walton,  Monroe 
county,  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  his  friends  and  re- 
lations in  that  place.  This  design  the  Lord  did  not 
however  permit  him  to  accomplish — he  went  to  the 
house  of  brother  Carter  to  die. 

In  a  September  number  of  the  Index,  the  eye  of 
the  reader  fell  upon  the  following  melancholy  an- 
nouncement. 

"  We  stop  the  press  to  inform  the  readers  of  the 
Index,  that  our  dear  old  Father  MERCER  is  no 
more.  We  have  just  received  the  following  note 
from  his  nephew,  brother  W.  A.  Mercer  ; 

"  '  At  hro.  Javies  Carter's,  Butti  Co.  Sept.  G,  1811. 

** '  Dear  hro.  Stokes,  I  have  the  mournful  intellio;-ence 
to  communicate  to  you  and  the  brethren  at  Penfield, 
that  my  dear  uncle  JESSE  MERCER  is  no  more — 
He  breathed  his  last  this  morning  at  twenty  minutes 
after  six  o'clock,  without  a  struggle  or  a  groan.     I 


JESSJL    MEUt'EU.  US5 

rcjacliod  iioio  yesterday,  and  found  him  sinking  very 
fast.  He  was  perfectly  sensible,  and  so  remained  un- 
till  the  last.  He  spoke  but  a  few  words.  I  sat  by 
his  bedside  through  the  most  of  the  night.  He  an- 
swered several  questions  I  asked  him — I  inquired  if 
he  was  ready  to  depart.  He  threw  his  dying  arms 
around  my  neck,  and  pulled  me  down  near  to  him, 
and  said — I  have  no  fears.  He  would  have  talked 
more,  but  said  he  was  unable — I  have  not  time  to 
multiply.' " 

From  the  following  letter  of  brother  Carter,  which 
was  also  published  in  the  Index,  the  reader  will  leani 
most  of  the  particulars  of  his  death. 

"  Eight  miles  North  of  Springs,      ^ 
Bntls  county,  20lh  Sept.  ]S41.  S 

"  Dear  Brother  Stokes, 

*'  Inasmuch  as  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  myself  and 
family  to  take  care  of,  and  nurse  our  very  dear  brother 
Mercer,  the  last  week  of  his  life,  and  he  having  died 
in  my  house,  perhaps  it  is  necessary  that  I  should  say 
something  to  the  brethren  and  friends  generally, 
through  the  medium  of  the  Index,  in  regard  to  this 
matter;  and  record  what  may  be  called  his  dying 
words,  as  well  as  his  dying  conduct.  I  visited  him 
frequently  while  at  the  Sjirings.  I  always  found  him 
calm  and  ready  to  enter  on  religious  conversation, 
(when  his  strength  would  permit.)  He  made  many 
inquiries  about  the  churches,  and  the  prospect  of  re- 
ligion generally. — He  was  much  pleased  to  learn  our 
prospects  were  favorable.  My  appointment  with  the 
church  at  the  Springs,  was  on  the  lasts*Sabbath  in 
August — he  attended,  though  very  feeble.  The  text 
for  that  day  was  a  part  of  the  11th  verse  of  the  12th 


386  MEMOIRS    OF 

chapter  of  Exodus,  *Eat  with  your  loins  girded,  your 
shoes  on  your  feet,  and  your  staff  in  your  hand/  At 
the  close  of  the  sermon,  this  venerable  old  servant  of 
Christ  arose  to  his  feet,  and  leaning  on  his  staff,  made 
a  few  remarks  in  regard  to  God's  people  going  to 
heaven ;  he  then  called  the  attention  of  the  congrega- 
tion to  this  one  fact,  that  the  Israelites  were  to  go  a 
certain  distance  into  the  wilderness  to  worship ; 
*  now,'  said  he,  *  I  wish  you  all  to  know  that  they 
that  go  to  heaven,  must  go  worshipping.'  He  dwelt 
most  beautifully  on  that  idea,  and  closed  by  prayer. 
This  may  be  considered  his  last  address  to  mankind, 
and  the  last  prayer  put  up  in  the  church.  Oh,  that 
the  Lord  would  hear  his  prayer  for  us  in  this  country. 
He  came  with  me  home  that  evening,  and  concluded 
to  remain  a  day  or  two.  He  appeared  to  be  entirely 
satisfied  and  at  home.  On  Tuesday  morning  he 
thoug-ht  he  was  much  better,  but  before  Jiiaht  he  be- 
came  worse. — He  remarked  to  my  wife  and  myself, 
that  he  regretted  very  much  to  be  troublesome,  and 
if  he  stayed  another  day,  it  would  prevent  me  from 
going  to  my  af)pointments  the  balance  of  the  week : 
we  both  told  him  we  were  willing  to  have  the  trouble, 
and  to  do  any  thing  for  him  in  our  power.  He  said 
he  thought  of  that,  but  still  regretted  that  I  should 
stay  on  his  account.  I  told  him  I  knew  the  brethren 
and  congregation  at  Tawaliga  church,  where  I  was 
expected,  would  excuse  me — this  appeared  to  satisfy 
him.  He  then  said,  *  I  am  here,  and  I  cannot  leave 
you,  and  I  may  die  on  your  hands.'  He  went  to  his 
room,  and  did  not  from  that  time  even  express  a  wish 
to  leave,  but  in  no  way  cast  down,  but  rather  cheerful. 
I  frequently  offered  to  call  in  a  physician,  but  he  as 
often  refused,  and  said  he  had  had  the  attention  of 
physicians  who  knew  him,  and  were  well  acquainted 


JESSE    MERCER.  387 

with  his  complaint,  and  the  medicine  had  not  had  the 
desired  effect,  and  he  did  not  think  it  worth  while  to 
put  himself  into  new  hands.  I,  however,  went  and 
consulted  one,  without  his  knowledge.  When  I  came 
back  and  told  him,  he  said  he  supposed  the  advice 
was  good,  but  his  complaint  had  gone  beyond  that 
remedy,  and  would  only  take  such  as  he  himself 
would  prescribe.  By  his  request,  I  directed  a  letter 
to  brother  W.  A.  Mercer,  of  Walton,  and  brothers 
Butler  and  Pope  of  Washington,  requesting  them,  or 
such  others  as  could,  to  come  and  see  him.  On  Fri- 
day, I  had  much  satisfactory  conversation  with  him. 
On  Saturday,  he  asked ipue  if  I  recollected  the  song  in 
the  Cluster,  that  had  these  words  in  it,  *  I  did  to  him 
my  all  commit;'  I  told  him  I  did.  He  then  went 
on  to  say,  '  that  is  continually  in  my  mind.  Forty  odd 
years  ago  I  committed  my  all  to  the  Lord,  before  the 
mercy  seat,  and  there  is  my  dependence  now.'  I 
asked  him  if  he  was  willing  to  go.  He  said,  *  yes,  if 
it  is  the  will  of  God.'  AVhenever  the  question  was 
asked,  he  always  said  he  was  willing.  At  one  time 
he  went  on  to  speak  at  length  in  regard  to  the  doc- 
trines of  grace  and  the  promises  of  the  gospel.  I 
said  to  him,  *  I  recollect  many  of  your  views,  when  I 
sat  under  your  ministry,  and  was  baptized  by  you ;' 
he  said,  *  yes,  and  these  are  my  views  now.'  He 
would  frequently  take  me  by  the  hand,  as  if  he  was 
telling  me  farewell,  looking  wishfully  in  my  face,  but 
said  nothing.  Frequently  asked  if  the  brethren  had 
come.  He  bore  his  affliction  like  his  Lord  and  Mas- 
ter ;  not  murmuring,  and  scarcely  a  groan  was  heard, 
only  in  prayer.  He  had  his  proper  mind  and  memory 
to  the  last,  asked  me  but  a  little  before  he  died,  if  the 
brethren  from  Washington  had  come  ;  said  to  brother 
W.  A.  Mercer^  he  had  no  fears.     So  he  died  almost 


388  MEMOIRS?     UF 

without  a  struggle  or  groan,  at  twenty  minutes  after 
six  o'clock,  on  the  6tli  September. 

"  The  Macedonia  church  met  in  conference  the 
next  Saturday,  and  unanimously  agreed  to  make  a  re- 
cord of  his  death  in  her  church  book,  in  the  following 
way,  and  to  send  you  a  copy,  if  you  should  see 
proper  to  publish  it  in  the  Index,  as  follows : 

*'  The  Church  in  Conference,  11th  September,  1841. 
— Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  it  seems  to  have  been 
the  will  of  God,  on  the  6th  day  of  this  inst.,  to  call 
from  time  to  eternity,  our  venerable  and  dear  brother 
in  the  ministry,  Rev.  Jesse  Mercer,  while  in  the  im- 
mediate neighborhood  of  this  church,  and  at  the  house 
of  our  pastor,  we  deem  it  our  privilege  and  duty  to 
mention  this  dispensation  of  divine  Providence  among 
us,  and  to  make  a  record  of  the  same  in  the  follow- 
ing way : 

**  1st.  That  we  desire  to  be  thankful  to  the  Lord 
that  his  usefulness  and  zeal  were  continued  so  long  to 
the  denomination  and  the  world ;  at  the  same  time  we 
mourn  with  our  brethren  in  general,  the  loss  of  so 
eminent  a  servant  of  Chiist. 

"2d.  In  the  death  of  brother  Mercer,  we  think  the 
Baptists  have  lost  one  of  their  brightest  ornaments, 
truth  one  of  its  ablest  advocates,  and  the  country  one 
of  its  ancient  and  elevated  citizens. 

**  3d.  We  should  now  feel  more  forcibly  the  weight 
of  that  command,  pray  ye  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  to 
send  more  laborers  into  the  vineyard. 

*'  4th.  That  we  request  our  pastor  to  preach  an  ap- 
propriate sermon  in  reference  to  the  above  case,  on 
the  Sabbath. 

"  I  endeavored  to  comply  with  the  request  from  the 
text,  *  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith, 
&:c.,  to  an  unusually  large  congregation,  (our  housel  i 


jFf^sE  MF.Rrr.R.  389 

rather  over  the  common  size  ;)  after  filling  the  house 
to  overflowing,  the  people  stood  at  the  doors  and  win- 
dows, with  the  utmost  composure.  The  Lord  came 
down  by  his  Spirit,  many  were  cut  to  the  heart ;  and 
there  is  a  giacious  work  going  on,  and  lias  been  for 
some  time ;  baptized  five  that  day ;  unavoidable  cir- 
cumstances required  us  to  adjourn  until  yesterday ; 
and  the  day  before  yesterday  baptized  five  more ;  in 
all  ten;  and  many  are  crying  for  mercy.  Pray  for 
them,  and  for  all  of  us. 

**  Youj's,  &c., 

"James  Carter." 

The  remains  of  Mr.  Mercer  were  carried  to  Pen- 
field,  and  interred  in  the  i^ublic  burying  ground ;  at 
which  spot,  or  some  other  one  more  suitable,  near  the 
University,  that  may  hereafter  be  selected,  with  the 
consent  of  his  relatives,  and  his  devoted  church  at 
Washington,  and  in  accordance  with  the  general  wish 
of  the  denomination,  they  will  find  a  permanent  rest- 
ing place.* 

Never  has  the  death  of  any  individual  called  forth 
such  an  expression  of  deep  and  universal  giief  in  the 
Baptist  churches  of  Georgia ;  and  long  will  it  be,  in 
all  human  probability,  before  such  soitow  will  be  felt 
again.  A  great  and  a  good  man  had  fallen,  and  there 
was  lamentation  in  Israel. 

The  Trustees  of  the  University,  in  connexion  with 
the  Faculty  and  students,  and  the  citizens  of  Penfield, 
signalized  the  mournful  event  by  appropriate  resolu- 
tions, and  also  by  solemn  religious  services. 

The  following  resolutions  contain  an  expression  of 

*  A  pl:iip,  substantial  monument  is  to  be  erected  to  his  memory, 
undiT  ilie  diiction  of  ilif  Tiiiftocs  of  the  University. 


390  MEMOIRS    OP 

the   sentiments  and  feelings  of  the  bereaved  church 
at  Washington,  on  the  melancholy  occasion. 

^^  Baptist  Church,  Washington,  Ga.^  Sept.  1841. 

**  Resolved,  That  this  church  feels  sensibly  the  loss 
we  have  sustained  in  the  removal  by  death,  of  our 
venerable  and  beloved  pastor,  Jesse  Mercer,  That 
in  him,  they,  together  v^ith  the  denomination  and  the 
christian  community,  have  lost  an  able  Expositor  of 
the  Inspired  Oracles,  a  faithful  preacher  of  the  word 
of  life,  a  wise  and  prudent  Counsellor  in  things  per- 
taining to  the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom,  and  a 
munificent  Benefactor,  such  as  it  has  rarely  been  their 
privilege  to  enjoy. 

"  That  in  looking  back  upon  the  long  series  of 
years  during  which  we,  in  common  with  the  christian 
community,  have  enjoyed  the  services  of  this  distin- 
guished man  of  God,  we  feel  a  mingled  emotion  of 
gratitude,  that  those  services  were  continued  so  long, 
and  sorrow,  that  they  are  now  closed  for  ever.  And 
now  that  the  hand  that  so  long  broke  unto  us  the 
bread  of  life,  is  palsied  in  death,  and  the  heart  that 
even  the  frosts  af  age  could  not  forbid  to  feel  deeply 
for  our  spiritual  interests,  shall  yearn  over  us  no  more 
in  this  world,  we  would  hold  in  grateful  remem- 
brance all  his  services,  and  how  '  He  ceased  not  to 
admonish  and  entreat  men  night  and  day  with  tears,' 
— humbly  praying  that  the  seed  sown  by  the  hands  of 
this  sei'vant  of  the  Most  High,  may  spring  up  and 
produce  a  yet  more  abundant  harvest. 

*'  Resolved,  That  we  sincerely  sympathize  with  his 
surviving  family  in  the  loss  which  they  have  sus- 
tained in  the  removal  of  their  venerable  relative. 

"  Resolved,  that  the  expression  of  condolence  ^vith 


JESSE    MERCER.  391 

US  on  this  occasion  of  deep  affliction,  by  the  citizens 
of  Penfield,  is  most  gratefully  received,  and  that  we 
accord  to  them  the  same  expressions. 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Church  acknowledges  the 
truly  christian  spirit  manifested  by  the  Presbyterian 
church  of  this  place,  in  the  communication  transmitted 
by  their  committee,  and  that  we  receive  that  expres- 
sion of  sympathy,  as  seasonable  and  highly  acceptable 
in  our  painful  bereav-ement. 

"  Resolved,  That  in  reference  to  a  final  resting- 
place  for  the  remains  of  our  departed  pastor,  we  be- 
lieve that  it  was  his  intention  to  be  placed  beside  his 
wife;  a  spot  of  ground  in  our  church- yard  having 
been  granted  him,  (at  his  request,)  for  that  purpose, 
and  it  is  the  desire  of  the  church  that  this  request  be 
complied  with. 

"  Resolved,  That  in  the  event  of  his  final  interment 
at  any  other  place,  this  Church,  as  a  farther  expres- 
sion of  her  regard  for  the  memory  of  her  deceased 
Pastor,  cause  to  be  procured  a  suitable  tablet  of  mar- 
ble, with  an  appropriate  inscription,  to  be  inserted  in  , 
some  proper  situation  upon  the  walls  of  this  house. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Church  do  hereby  request  the 
officiating  Minister  to  preach  a  Sermon  in  memory  of 
our  deceased  Pastor,  on  the  morning  of  the  first  Sab- 
bath in  October. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions,  to- 
gether with  the  communication  from  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  be  transmitted  for  publication  in  the  Chris- 
tian Index,  and  News  and  Gazette. 

"  Done  in  Conference,  this  25th  day  of  Sept.  1841. 

"  Richard  W.  Joyner, 

"  Church  Clcrkr 


392  MEMOIRS  OP 

The  following,  is  the  Communicalion  from  the 
Presbyterian  Church  referred  to  in  the  preceding 
resolutions  ;  and  on  account  of  the  Christian  spirit 
which  it  breathes,  it  is  entitled  to  a  place  in  these 
pages. 

**  Sunday,  \Qth  September,  1841. 
"Dear  Brethren  and  esteemed  friends, 

"As  a  Committee  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  we 
transmit  to  you  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  a  meet- 
ingf  held  this  mornin":,  at  the  close  of  divine  service, 
which  ^ou  will  receive  as  a  testimonial  of  our  sense 
of  departed  worth,  and  a  token  of  our  sincere  partici- 
pation with  you  in  your  recent  bereavement. 

"  We  are  your  sympathizing  friends  and  brethren, 

Geo.  H.  W.  Petrie, 
A.  S.  Wingfield, 
Lock  Weems, 
"  Rev.  C.  V.  Sturgis,  and  Deacons 
of  the  Baptist  Church." 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  convened  this  morning  after  service,  with  a 
view  of  giving  a  suitable  expression  of  their  feelings 
as  a  Church  upon  the  bereavement  w^hich  has  afflicted 
their  community,  in  the  decease  of  the  Rev.  Jesse 
Mercer,  Pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  Dr.  John  H. 
Pope  was  called  to  the  Chair,  and  A.  S.  Wingfield 
appointed  Secretary. 

*'  Rev.  Mr.  Petrie  opened  the  meeting  with  a  few  re- 
marks, and  then  offered  the  following  Preamble  and 
Resolutions,  which  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  In  view  of  the  affliction  with  which  Divine  Pro- 
vidence has  visited  us  in  the  loss  of  our  venerable 
friend,  the  Rev.  Jesse  Mercer,  we,  the  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  do  adopt  tlie  following  Re- 


JESSE    MERCER.  393 

solutions,   as  an  expression   of  our   feelings   on  this 
mournful  occasion  : 

*'  Resolved,  That  we  sincerely  and  deeply  deplore 
the  heavy  calamity  which  has  befallen  our  community 
in  the  decease  of  this  venerable  minister  of  Christ. 

**  Resolved,  That  we  tender  our  cordial  sympathy 
to  our  brethren  of  the  JBaptist  Church,  in  this  their 
bereavement,  in  the  decease  of  their  beloved  Pastor, 
and  that  we  mourn  their  loss  as  our  loss. 

"  Resolved,  That  as  a  testimony  of  the  respect  and 
esteem  we  entertain  for  the  character  of  our  departed 
friend,  also  for  our  brethren  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
our  house  of  worship  shall  be  closed  on  the  morning 
of  the  first  Sabbath  in  October,  when,  as  we  are  in- 
formed, an  appropriate  funeral  discourse  will  be  de- 
livered in  the  Baptist  Church. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to 
transmit  a  copy  of  these  proceedings  to  the  officiating 
Minister  and  Deacons  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
through  them  to  the  members  generally. 

"  John  H.  Pope,  Chairman. 

**  A.  S.  WiXGFiELD,  ^^ecretaryT 

Similar  expressions  of  Christian  son'ow  were  made 
by  the  Georgia  Association,  the  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention, and  by  many  other  bodies  of  our  brethren 
in  the  State. 

On  the  time  appointed  brother  C.  F.  Sturgis,  who 
as  has  been  noticed,  had  the  honor  and  happiness  of 
being  associated  for  a  time  with  father  Mercer,  in  the 
pastoral  charge  of  the  church,  preached  an  appropri- 
ate funeral  discourse,  from  2  Sam.  3  :  38.  *' Knoiv  ye 
not  ihcj^  there  is  *  *  *  a  great  man  fallen  this  day 
in  IsraeV* 

After     some     suita])le     introductory    remarks,     the 

18 


394  MEMOIRS    OP 

preacher  announced  the  main  point  to  which  he  in- 
vited the  attention  of  the  congregation  ;  viz.  *'  That 
Jesse  Mercer  was  truly  a  greht  man  :  I  mea?i,*^  adds 
Mr.  Sturois,  by  way  of  explanation,  "  great  as  God's 
servant."  This  position  was  clearly  illustrated  by  the 
speaker  by  considering  somewhat  at  length  the  follow- 
ing particulars. 

"  I.  The  manner  in  which  he  rose  to  the  command- 
ing position  which  he  occupied. 

"  II.  The  manner  in  which  he  retained  that  posi- 
tion, and  continued  to  ascend  to  the  very  last. 

**.III.  The  strength  of  his  intellectual  powers. 

*'  IV.  His  retention  of  these  powers  to  the  last. 

"  V.  The  plans  and  schemes  which  engaged  his 
mind. 

"  VI,  The  manner  in  which  he  prosecuted  these 
plans. 

"  VII.  The  influence  which  he  exerted  upon  the 
world  by  his  life,  character  and  actions." 

The  above  named  topics  were  in  the  main  judi- 
ciously selected,  and  well  sustained :  space  cannot 
however,  be  allowed  for  a  complete  outline  of  the  dis- 
course. The  brief  sketch  here  given  will  nevertheless 
serve  to  give  some  direction  to  the  mind  of  the  reader ; 
and  by  such  facts  as  are  supplied  by  these  pages,  in 
connexion  perhaps  with  his  own  recollections  of  Mr. 
Mercer,  he  will  be  able  to  illustrate  each  particular 
point  for  himself,  and  move  on  by  a  sure  and  convinc- 
ing process  to  the  conclusion,  that  when  this  servant 
of  Christ  yielded  to  the  summons  of  death,  a  great 
man  indeed  Jell  in  our  Israel. 


JESSE'  MERCEK.  395 


CHAi'TER  XVI, 

Mr.  Mercer'ri  personal  appearance. — Various  traits  of  character  <le- 
scribcfl. — Mr.  Mercer  in  his  social  relations.' — Character  of  his 
mind  and  attainments. — His  character  as  a  preacher — Elis  gift 
in  prayer. — Ilis  piety. — Hi.s  fiiults. — His  great  influence. 

The  personal  appearance  of  Mr.  Mercer  was  pecu- 
liarly interesting,  well  calculated  to  arrest  the  atten- 
tion of  the  beholder,  and  fix  a  lasting  impression  on 
his  mind.  None  who  had  once  seen  him  would  be 
very  likely  to  forget  him.  Most  of  his  survivin(r  ac- 
quaintances hcive  probably  a  more  distinct  recollection 
d-f  his  appearance  than  of  any  other  individual;  such  a 
recollection  as  would  enable  them,  if  familiar  with 
the  pencil,  to  exhibit  cm  canvass  a  tolerably  correct 
delineation  of  his  whole  person.  In  height  he  rose 
somewhat  above  the  ordinary  standard  ;  in  his  younger 
days,  as  has  already  been  noticed,  he  was  spare,  but 
in  his  advanced  years,  when  his  health  was  good,  he 
was  moderately  corpulent.  Time  had  gradually  re- 
moved the  greater  partion  of  his  hair,  leaving  at  last 
but  a  few,  thin  straight  locks  on  the  sides  and  back 
part  of  his  head,  which  still  retained,  however,  their 
oris^inal  daa^k  brown  color.  His  extreme  baldness 
revealed  to  all  the  exact  size  ^nd  conformation  of 
the  citadel  of  liis  noble  mind.  This  conformation 
was  very  remarkable.  The  horizontal  length  of  his 
head  from  his  eyebrows  back,  was  very  great,  whilst 
his  forehead  seemed  to  rise  upward  with  a  gently  re- 
ceding slope  even  to  the  very  crown,  exhibiting  a 
most  striking  development  of  what  phrenologists  term 
the  organs  of  benevolence,  veneration  and  liiTnness. 
His  eye.,  which  was  of  a  hazel  color,  and  rather  .small 


39G  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  deeply  sunk,  was  clear  and  sparkling,  and  beamed 
with  a  sweet,  mingled  expression  of  affection  and  in- 
tellisrence.  He  had  a  meek,  kind  and  reverential 
look ;  and  if  he  was  not  indeed  a  benevolent,  devout 
and  good  man,  then  the  human  features  never  speak 
a  distinct  and  intelligible  language.  Most  of  the  time* 
his  countenance  was  considerably  turned  downward, 
as  though  he  was  habitually  impressed  with  a  sense  of 
the  divine  presence ;  and  a  gentle  bowing  motion  of 
the  head,  which  was  very  often  repeated,  might  sug- 
gest to  the  beholder  that  he  was  making,  as  it  were, 
reverential  obeisance  to  his  Maker.  His  movements 
were  generally  calm,  uniform,  and  deliberate,  and 
marked  with  much  of  that  sweet  and  quiet  gentleness, 
which  we  may  suppose  peculiarly  distinguished  that 
divine  person  of  whom  it  was  said,  "  he  shall  not 
strive  nor  cry,  neither  shall  any  man  hear  his  voice  in 
lli  J  streets ;  a  bi-uised  reed  shall  he  not  break,  and 
smoking  flax  shall  he  not  quench."^ 

To  strangers,  he  often  appeared  cold,  uninteresting 
and  dry,  but  an  intimate  acquaintance  could  not  fail  ta 
excite  interest,  and  to  render  it  apparent  that  he  pos- 
sessed those  refined  and  amiable  qualities  which  ren- 
dered him  capable  of  tender,  finri  and  lasting  friends- 
ship.  He  was  constitutionally  reserved  and  taciturny 
unable  readily  to  suggest  topics  for  remark,  and  to 
give  a  direction  to  conversation  ;  on  which  account 
he  often  complained  that  he  was  illy  qualified  to  per- 
form properly  the  duties  of  a  pastor  ;  yet  scarcely  any 
subject  could  be  introduced  by  others  in  regard  to- 
which  he  could  not  speak  a  word  in  season  ;  and  when 
interested  and"  roused  he  would  entertain  a  company 
with  pertinent  and  instructive  discourse,  interspersed 
©ftentimes  with  happy  illustrations,  and  sparkling 
ainecdotes.     His  first  wife  used  sometime       isav,  "  ir 


JESSE    MERCER.  397 

you  wish  to  get  Mr.  Mercer  to  talking,  when  he  comes 
to  see  you,  you  must  lay  up  some  subjects  for  him  be- 
forehand :" — "  I  was  in  the  habit  of  doing  so,"  remark- 
ed one  of  his  intimate  friends,  "  and  would  some- 
times in  this  way  draw  from  him  by  my  fireside  the 
substance  of  two  or  three  good  sermons." 

He  was  a  man  of  great  transparency  of  character. 
What  he  appeared  to  be,  he  really  was.  He  was  a 
true  Nathaniel,  an  Israelite  indeed,  guileless,  simple, 
unaffected.  He  ever  proposed  to  himself  worthy 
and  noble  ends,  and  by  honest,  open,  straightforward 
means,  labored  for  their  accomplishment,  disdaining 
all  tortuous  management  and  secret  wire-pulling. 

He  was  sparing  of  his  praises  in  the  presence  of 
those  he  would  commend,  and  the  spirit  of  peevish 
fault-finding,  and  bitter  detraction,  dwelt  not  in  his 
bosom.  With  all  his  greatness  and  reputation,  he  was 
iowly  and  humble ;  he  sustained  his  honors  with 
meekness ;  knew  how  to  bear  the  infirmities  of  the 
weak,  to  condescend  to  men  of  low  estate,  to  render 
welcome  to  his  presence  and  to  his  dwelling,  the  most 
obscure  individual.  His  modesty  was  conspicuous ;  he 
sometimes  appeared  emban'assed  from  diffidence,  es- 
pecially amongst  strangers ;  and  it  was  not  uncom- 
mon for  him  to  be  distrustful  of  his  own  judgment, 
and  seek  the  counsel  of  those  who  would  ever  have 
esteemed  it  an  honor  to  sit  as  learners  at  his  feet. 

Though  possessed  of  an  eminently  meek  and  gen- 
tle spirit,  he  was,  nevertheless,  a  man  of  uncommon 
firmness,  and  of  great  moral  courage.  In  matters  of 
principle  and  conscience,  he  was  immoveable  as  a 
rock ;  upon  what  he  deemed  important  ajid  vital 
points,  he  was  not  afraid  to  proclaim  his  opinions, 
even  if  the  whole  world  was  to  be  arrayed  against 
him.    Yet  in  matters  of  indifference,  no  one  was  more 


398  srEMofiis  o^'' 

ready  and  cheerful  in  yielding  to  the  wishes  of  others, 
too  generous  and  noble  to  stickle  in  trifling  matters, 
and  to  contend  for  contention  sake.  "  He  had  nc^ 
that  kind  of  liberality"  (to  use  the  language  of  ano- 
ther) "  which,  though  it  might  please  men,  disre- 
gards the  injunctions  of  heaven,  a  liberality  which 
narrov/s,  lessens  or  attenuates  the  commands  of  the 
bible  ;  yet  he  was  kind  and  courteous,  and  hospitable 
to  all  denominations/' 

From  the  calm  and  quiet  manner  in  which  Mr.. 
Mercer  prosecuted  his  duties,  many  might  suppose 
that  he  was  deficient  in  force  and  energy  of  character. 
In  certain  modes  of  action,  ais  has  already  been  inti- 
mated, he  w^as,  in  this  respect,  no  doubt,  excelled  by 
many.  But  a  sui'vey  of  the  general  tenor  of  his  life, 
of  his  steady  devotion  to  the  great  work  to  which  he 
considered  himself  called  of  God,  his  almost  unex- 
ampled punctuality  in  pressing  on  to  his  numerous 
appointments  through  heat  and  through  cold,  through 
wet  and  through  weariness,  and  the  unwavering  uni- 
formity with  which  he  pursued  all  his  purposes  and 
duties,  even  under  circumstances  of  discouragement 
and  trial,  will  present  to  us  a  character  by  no  means 
deficient  in  force  and  energy.  Yet  his  energy  was 
not  that  of  the  toiTent  which  beai's  away  with  rapid 
and  boisterous  strength,  dwellings,  and  woods,  and 
fields ;  but  the  gentle,  yet  effectual  energy  of  the 
summer  shower,  which  crumbles  the  dry  and  unyield- 
ing soil ;  the  noiseless  and  invisible  force  of  heat, 
which  gradually  vanquishes  the  stubborn  rock,  and 
the  impenetrable  steel. 

JNIr.  Mercer  was  a  man  of  a  remarkably  tender 
spirit.  His  sympathetic  nature  enabled  him  most 
readily  to  enter  into  the  griefs  of  his  brethren  and 
friends  ;  and  with  what  a  gentle,  engaging  and  pater- 


JESSE    MERCER.  399 

nal  manner  he  would  make  their  burdens  his  own, 
very  many  can  bear  testimony.  He  often  preached 
with  tears.  A  tender  and  affectionate  exhibition  of 
divine  truth  by  others,  seldom  failed  to  engage  his 
feelings,  and  to  elicit  some  quiet  and  unobtrusive  ex- 
pression of  emotion.  Was  there,  on  any  occasion,  a 
divine  and  melting  influence  poured  forth  upon  a 
congregation ;  if  Father  Mercer  was  one  of  that  con- 
course, he  might  be  seen  with  his  head  bowed  gently 
and  reverently  forward,  weeping  with  the  meek,  un- 
affected simplicity  of  a  little  child.  The  incident  no- 
ticed in  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  Presi- 
dent Manly,  may  serve  as  a  pleasant  illustration  of  this 
trait  of  his  character.  "  I  saw  Father  Mercer  but 
seldom.  Once  I  saw  him,  (at  Eatonton,  in  the  spring 
of  1824,)  in  an  aspect  which  I  must  relate,  as  it  illus- 
trates the  simple  piety  and  tenderness  of  his  heart. 
It  was  on  a  Sunday  of  the  meeting  of  the  Georgia 
Convention.  Brother  S.  and  I  were  to  preach.  Bro- 
ther Mercer  sat  in  the  pulpit  with  us.  S.  got  up,  and 
in  his  quaint  way  surveyed  the  assembly  (a  very  large 
one)  with  several  glances,  and  opened  just  in  this 
way.  *  Where  shall  we  obtain  bread  to  feed  so  great 
a  multitude  ]  as  for  my  part,  I  am  unprovided  and 
penniless;  but  there  is  a  lad  here,'  turning  round 
and  putting  his  hand  on  my  head  as  I  leaned  forward 
in  the  pulpit,  '  who  has  five  barley  loaves  and  two  lit- 
tle fishes,  which,  with  the  presence  and  blessing  of 
Jesus,  shall  constitute  a  feast.'  This  well  nigh  upset 
me.  But  it  drove  me  to  prayer.  The  Lord  loosed 
my  own  mind,  and  unlocked  the  fountains  of  tears,  so 
that  it  was  computed  that  through  a  gi*eat  part  of  the 
discourse,  there  was  an  average  of  at  least  five  hun- 
dred persons  continually  bathed  in  tears.  There  was 
nothing  in  all  this  Bochiin,  that  to  me  was  so  affecting 


400  MEMOIRS    OF 

as  when  I  turned  round  and  saw  the  sympathetic 
streams  coursing  swiftly  down  the  furrowed  cheeks  of 
Father  Mercer." 

The  following  incident  is  furnished  by  President 
Sherwood.  "  When  the  Convention  was  organized 
at  Powelton,  in  June,  1822,  one  of  the  ministers  read 
a  sermon,  I  think  from  *  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the 
Lord,'  in  which  he  portrayed  the  evils  of  sectional 
feelings,  and  need  of  a  more  extended  acquaintance, 
such  as  the  organization  of  the  Convention  was  de- 
signed to  promote.  Mr.  Mercer  closed  the  exercises 
by  an  approving  exhortation  and  weeping  prayer,  and 
in  allusion  to  the  plain  truths  touching  the  divisions 
and  petty  jealousies  which  had  contributed  to  block 
up  'the  way  of  the  Lord,'  he  made  hearty  confession 
of  sin  in  this  respect  for  himself  and  brethren,  and 
observed  with  stifled  emotion,  *  hast  thou  found  us 
out,  O  our  enemy  !  hast  thou  seen  the  evils  that  exist 
among  us !'  The  whole  assembly  were  melted  into 
tears,  and  his  prayer  seemed  to  do  more  good  than 
the  sermon." 

Another  incident  may  be  appropriately  related  in 
this  connexion.  **  A  case  of  discipline  with  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Rhodes,  was  the  source  of  great  grief  and 
affliction.  He  had  swers-ed  from  the  path  of  recti- 
tude, and  several  of  his  brethren  were  endeavoring 
to  bring  him  to  see  his  error ;  and  though  he  would 
frequently  make  acknowledgments,  his  subsequent 
conduct  impaired  confidence,  and  opened  afresh  the 
wound  that  had  been  partially  healed.  Mr.  Rhodes 
was  an  interesting  and  popular  preacher.  He  had 
travelled  much  with  Mr.  Mercer,  and  their  affection 
was  strong  for  each  other,  like  that  of  David  and  Jon- 
athan ;  this  made  the  trial  severer.  At  meetings  for 
healing  the  breaches  which  Mr.  Rhodes  had  made, 


JESSE    MERCER.  401 

i\Ir.  Mercer  has  been  seen  to  burst  out  into  a  flood  of 
tears,  and  weep  like  a  child  over  his  vvanderinn- 
brother."*  In  the  various  domestic  and  social  rela- 
tions, he  stood  forth  as  a  model  of  uncommon  beauty 
and  excellence.  Why  need  we  speak  of  his  obliging 
kindness  as  a  neighbor,  his  sincerity  and  firmness  as  a 
friend,  his  fidelity  and  affection  as  a  brother,  Lis  in- 
tegrity and  truly  christian  patriotism,  as  a  citizen  ? 

AVho  better  understood  the  duties  of  a  husband  1 
These  duties  lie  discharged  vnth  a  prompt  fidelity, 
engaging  tenderness,  and  unwearied  constancy,  wor- 
thy of  all  praise.  It  was  truly  delightful  to  notice 
with  what  a  kind  voice  and  affectionate  look  he  would 
respond  to  the  assiduous  attentions  of  his  devoted 
companion,  and  with  what  patience,  sympathy  and 
carefulness,  he  would  minister  to  her  in  all  her  af- 
flictions. 

As  a  master,  his  e^iample  deserves  to  be  recorded 
in  deep  lines  upon  a  tablet  of  gold,  and  suspended  in 
every  habitation.  He  treated  his  servants  (of  which 
he  had  but  a  few)  with  the  most  judicious  considera- 
tion and  the  greatest  humanity.  He  held  them  in  the 
light,  not  of  inanimate  goods  and  chattels;  but  of  hu- 
man, rational,  immortal  beings.  Their  spiritual  wants 
ever  lay  upon  his  heart.  When  speaking  of  their 
condition  as  needy,  ruined  sinners,  lie  would  often 
shed  tears ;  often  would  he,  with  great  concern,  en- 
treat the  prayers  of  his  brethren  in  their  behalf;  and 
when  any  of  them  manifested  anxiety  in  relation  to 
the  salvation  of  their  souls,  it  gave  him  the  most  sin- 
cere pleasure.  Every  morning  and  evening  was  their 
attendance  required   at  family    worship;    and    what 


♦    Shorwoocfs  skctcli  of  the  life  of  Mr.  Mercer,  in  llie  Baptist 
Memorial. 

18* 


402  SIEMOIIIS    OP 

may  seem  rather  singular  to  many,  he  had  the  autho- 
rity and  address  to  secure  without  noise  or  severity,  a 
uniform  corapliance  with  this  regulation.  The  \vriteT 
well  remembers  with  what  concern  he  once  heard 
him  speak  of  the  death  of  one  of  his  domestics ;  and 
with  what  christian  propriety  and  tenderness  he 
quoted,  in  connexion,  the  passage  from  Proverbs, 
''He  that  delicately  hringeth  up  Ms  servant  frmn  a 
child,  shall  have  him  to  become  his  son  at  the  length'' 
With  reference  to  the  same  event,  he  thus  writes 
to  an  intimate  christian  friend  :  "  The  Lord  has  made 
a  breach  on  us  !  It  falls  with  considerable  weight  on 
us,  as  it  not  only  deprives  us  of  a  great  benefit,  but 
of  the  most  dear  inmate  of  our  house.  Our  little 
house  girl,  Mary,  is  now  a  corpse  in  our  house;  sud- 
denly and  violently  taken  away  by  congestive  fever. 
She  was  so  intimately  connected  with  us  and  our  hap- 
piness, that  we  fe^l  it  almost  as  the  loss  of  a  daughter. 
But  the  thought  of  our  }oss  is  nothing  to  the  fear  of 
the  loss  of  her  soul !  Mary  was  a  fine  girl,  brisk, 
willino-  and  sensible,  (so  that  her  place  will  be  hard 
to  fill,)  but  she  was  a  sinner,  a  poor,  little  lying,  thiev- 
ish sinner,  and  she  is  gone  (so  far  as  we  can  tell)  in 
impenitence !  For  two  days  her  speech  failed  her, 
so  that  we  could  understand  nothing  from  her.  But 
it  is  the  Lord's  doing  and  we  must  submit."  In  ac- 
cordance with  Mr.  Mercer's  request,  brother  Wm.  H. 
Stokes  preached  a  funeral  sermon  to  the  colored  peo- 
ple, at  the  grave ;  and  in  some  remarks  which  he 
himself  made,  he  said  with  much  feeling,  "  I  am 
afraid,  my  servants,  that  you  will  go  to  hell!'*  On 
the  Lord's  day  following,  he  preached  a  discourse 
whicli  might  be  regarded  as  a  kind  of  funeral  sermon, 
with  soiTOw  and  tears  often  referring  to  the  death  of 
his  servant. 


JESSE    MERCER.  403 

Such  a  master  would  be  likely  to  enjoy  the  confi- 
dence and  affection  of  his  servants.  *'  They  loved 
him  and  venerated  him,"  (says  a  friend  that  for  many 
years,  was  almost  daily  at  his  house,)  **  not  only  as  a 
master,  but  as  a  father.  *  *  As  an  instance  of  that 
kind  feeling  which  was  cherished  by  all  his  servants, 
I  will  just  mention  the  conduct  of  old  Manuel,  a  few 
days  after  his  death.  This  old  servant,  it  is  well 
known,  accompanied  his  master  after  his  last  mar- 
riage, everywhere  he  went.  The  first  time  I  met 
him  after  the  death  of  his  master,  it  seemed  as  if  by 
the  power  of  association,  the  scenes  and  incidents  of 
past  days  came  afresh  to  his  mind,  and  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  deepest  sorrow  and  affection,  he  ex- 
claimed, '  what  shall  I  do  now  ?  old  master  (and  here 
he  faltered)  is  no  more  .' '  " 

"  Of  Father  Mercer's  manner  in  his  own  house," 
(remarks  the  same  brother,)  "  it  may  be  said  of  a 
truth,  that  he  exhibited  all  the  attributes  of  true  gi'eat- 
ness  in  perfect  simplicity.  There  was  nothing  forbid- 
ding about  him,  no  assumed  dignity.  Uniformly  kind, 
always  pleasant,  sometimes  particularly  so,  especially 
if  the  conversation  turned  upon  religious  subjects,  or 
upon  the  success  of  the  gospel  at  home  or  abroad.  It 
is  true  that  sometimes  from  long  application  to  busi- 
ness, he  would  seem  a  little  dull,  but  let  some  ques- 
tions relating  to  the  doctrines  or  duties  of  Christianity 
be  introduced,  and  all  was  animation,  all  was  cheer- 
fulness and  life." 

"  Order  appears  to  have  been  the  watchword  with 
this  good  man.  Not  only  was  there  order  in  his 
thoughts,  but  in  all  his  conduct."  Order  and  system 
reigned  in  his  household.  Although  much  of  this 
was  to  be  attributed  to  the  excellent  management  of 
bis.^yife,  yet  it  was  plain  that  every  thing  around  bore 


404  MEMOIRS    OF 

more  or  less  of  the  impress  of  the   patriarchal  head. 
He  did  not,  as  seems  to  be  the  case  with  many,  re- 
verse the  laws  of  nature  and  convert  day  into  night, 
and  night  into  day;  he  rose  early,  and  gave  the  day 
to  its  appropriate  employment ;  and  retired  at  a  rea- 
sonable hour,  and  gave  the  night  to  repose.     It  would 
always  require  a  very  urgent  necessity  to  induce  him, 
either  at  home  or  abroad,  to  depart  from  this  rule. 
He  gathered  his  family  together  at  an  early  hour  for 
worship,  requiring   all  secular  business  to  tan-y  till 
God  was  thus  honored  ;   and  seldom  delaying  the  time 
for  the  accommodation  of  lingering  guests.     Should 
they  happen  to  be  late,  some  kind,  reproving  hint 
would  be  very  likely  to  remind  them  that  he  expected 
his  visiters  to  conform  to  the  rules  of  the  family. 

After  his  settlement  at  Washington,  his  house  was 
the  frequent  resort  of  his  numerous  christian  acquaint- 
ances ;  and  many  pious  strangers,  attracted  by  the  sa- 
vory influence  of  his  good  name,  would  search  out 
his  dwelling  to  gain  at  least  a  hasty  interview  with 
this  revered  Father  in  Israel.  These  friends  and 
strangers  will  long  remember  the  unaffected  kindness 
and  hospitality  with  which  they  were  welcomed  to  his 
fireside,  feeling  that  his  home  was  a  much  honored 
spot,  and  thankful  that  they  were  there  permitted  to 
listen  to  his  voice  and  receive  his  blessing. 

In  the  management  of  his  pecuniary  affairs,  he  dis- 
played much  ability  and  judgment.  From  a  very 
slender  beginning,  and  a  moderate  income  in  subse- 
quent years,  he  was  enabled,  by  economy  and  pru- 
dence, to  accumulate,  previous  to  the  time  of  his 
second  maniage,  a  comfortable  estate.  At  that  time, 
as  has  been  already  noticed,  he  received  a  large  in- 
crease to  his  possessions ;  yet  even  then  they  did  not 
transcend  his  financial  ability.     He  no  longer,  how- 


JESSE    MERCER.  405 

ever,  aimed  at  accumulation,  generally  appropriating 
his  entire  income,  beyond  his  necessary  expenses,  to 
the  cause  of  benevolence.  Though  now  in  affluenccj 
he  was  still  economical,  carefully  avoiding  all  need- 
less waste.  He  also  avoided  with  no  less  care,  the 
contracting  of  perj^lexing  debts ;  aiming  at  great  punc- 
tuality and  exactness  in  meetinor  his  encratrements,  thus 
leaving  it  in  the  power  of  none  to  say,  as  he  urged 
upon  others  the  duty  of  promptness,  fidelity,  and  hon- 
esty in  relation  to  pecuniary  pledges,  (which  he  often 
did,)  "  physician,  heal  thyself." 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  repeat  what  has  so  often 
passed  in  review  before  the  reader  of  the  preceding 
pages,  that  he  possessed  a  mind  of  high  order.  Clear- 
ness, strength,  and  originality,  were  its  peculiar  fea- 
tures. His  powers  of  analysis  were  remarkable,  giv- 
ing him  an  easy  and  rapid  mastery  over  intricate  and 
perplexing  subjects  ;  whilst  in  comparison  and  illus- 
tration he  was  hardly  less  distinguished.  The  com- 
mon place  occurrences  of  life,  and  familiar  scenes  in 
nature  around,*  cast  into  his  observing  and  tenacious 
mind  a  thousand  similies,  which  with  an  aptness  and 
simplicity  peculiar  to  himself,  he  would  scatter  through 
his  discourses  like  burning  gems  and  glittering  arrows, 
to  give  brightness,  and  point,  and  power,  to  the  great 
tmths  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  Even  a  coarse  and 
somewhat  forbidding  figure  would  sometimes  be 
brought  up ;  yet  would  he  wield  it  in  a  manner  so 
dexterous  and  engaging,  that  it  would  seem  to  lose 
its  repulsive  aspect,  chime  in  as  apparently  the  fittest 
illustration  that  could  be  used,  and  leave  no  other  im- 
pression upon  the  mind  but  that  of  complacency  and 
delight. 

*  For  a  few  specimens  of  Mr.  Mercer's  figurative  illustrations, 
•ee  appendix,  A. 


406  MEMOIRS    OF 

There  was  something  in  the  intellectual  efforts  of 
Mr.  Mercer,  particularly  in  the  pulpit,  that  seemed 
almost  invariably  to  arrest  the  attention  of  men  of  im- 
proved and  elevated  minds,*  and  this  may  be  regarded 
as  a  striking  evidence  of  his  own  real  greatness.  A 
great  mind  is  more  naturally  impressed  with  intel- 
lectual superiority  than  minds  of  an  inferior  order, 
and  is  the  only  adequate  judge  of  its  real  dimensions. 
A  person  of  very  ordinary  intellect  might  judge  ano- 
ther to  be  a  great  man,  because  upon  some  points  he 
is  superior  to  himself;  whilst  another  of  vastly  higher 
mental  stature  than  the  first,  might  seem  in  his  view 
to  have  scarcely  any  higher  claims  to  greatness.     He 

*  "  I  always  teeJ,"  said  an  individual  of  strong  discerning  mind, 
"  that  vvhen  I  hear  the  communicalions  of  Brother  Mercer,  I  am 
listening  to  a  wise  man." — A  young  lady  in  company  once  spoke 
disparagingly  of  a  sermon  which  she  had  just  Vieard  from  Mr.  Mer- 
cer ;  having  confined  her  atten  ion,  it  is  presumed,  rather  to  the 
manner  of  the  speaker  than  to  the  substance  of  the  discourse  :  a 
gentleman  present,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  lawyers  and  states- 
men in  the  country,  who  happened  to  hear  the  same  sermon,  ob- 
served, that  he  had  seldom  listened,  to  a  more  logical  and  sensible 
discourse. — The  following  circumstance  was  related  to  the  wiiter 
by  a  venerable  and  intelligent  brother  in  South  Carolina  some  twenty 
years  ago.  During  one  of  Mr.  Mercer's  journeys  through  S.  C. 
when  he  was  quite  young  in  the  ministry,  he  happened  to  fall  in 
company  with  several  eminent  clergymen  at  Camden,  who  it  seems 
had  visited  the  place  at  a  time  when  some  public  occasioa  had 
brought  together  a  large  number  of  distinguished  citizens.  Dr. 
Flynn,  a  celebrated  clergyman  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination, 
Dr.  Staughton,  then  a  young  man,  and  perhaps  the  elder  Gano,  with 
one  or  two  others  of  equal  distinction,  were  some  of  the  ministers 
who  in  their  turn  were  called  on  to  address  the  congregations  that 
assembled  from  day  to  day.  Mr.  Mercer  also  preached  ;  and  his 
clear,  masterly  exhibition  of  divine  truth,  satisfied  all  present  that  ho 
was  no  ordinary  man.  Though  the  others  were  more  admired  for 
the  elegance  of  their  language  and  the  gracefulness  of  their  manner, 
yet  the  general  impression  left  on  the  minds  of  the  people  seemed  to 
be,  that  Jesse  Mercer  was  the  great  man. 


JtSSE    MERCJER.  407 

seems  like  a  person  standing  at  the  foot  of  two  con- 
tiguous trees  of  veiy  unequal  height,  who,  by  looking 
directly  upwards,  cannot  judge  correctly  either  of 
their  real  or  comparative  elevation.  But  a  j^erson 
who,  by  the  exalted  character  of  his  mind,  is  compelled 
to  look  downward  in  forming  an  estimate  of  the  great 
mass  of  mankind,  is  at  once  struck  with  those  who 
rise  above  the  common  level,  and  contemplating  them, 
as  it  were,  in  a  natural,  direct,  and  horizontal  line,  can 
easily  judge  of  their  comparative  altitude.  Veiy  few 
men,  in  taking  the  measure  of  Mr.  Mercer's  intellect- 
ual power,  have  ever  felt  that  they  were  compelled  to 
look  dowiiward.  Indeed,  it  is  evident  that  he  pos- 
sessed a  mind  of  that  order  which  would  have  given 
liim  a  bright  and  solid  reputation,  in  almost  any  im- 
portant pursuit  upon  which  he  might  have  concen- 
trated its  energies.  As  a  financier  he  would  have  had 
few  equals;   as  a  jurist*  he  would  have  been  discrim- 

*  Upon  the  death  of  Gov.  Rabun,  Mr.  Mercer  was  prevailed  on 
to  take  charge  of  an  estate,  upon  which  the  former  had  partially 
administered.  A  quesiion  of  law  and  justice  arose,  in  which  he  dif- 
fered from  the  previously  expressed  opinion  of  Gov.  Rabun,  and 
nearly  every  legal  adviser  that  had  been  consulted.  At  length  it 
was  agreed  that  the  quesiion  should  be  argued  in  court.  Judge 
Dooly  presided.  Mr.  Mercer  employed  no  counsel,  but  managed 
the  case  himse'f.  In  his  opening  remarks  he  observed  that  he  pro- 
fessed not  to  know  much  of  the  law,  but  he  thought  he  understood 
something  o(  the  principles  of  common  justice.  As  he  progressed 
in  his  argument,  he  was  listened  to  with  respectful  attention  by  iho 
court  and  bar.  The  case  being  argued  sufficiently  on  both  sides,"  it 
v.as  left  in  the  hands  of  the  judge,  wlio  found  it  one  of  so  much  dif- 
ficulty, that  he  was  some  twelve  months  in  making  up  his  opinion. 
This  was  at  last  adverse  to  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Mercer.  Mr.  M., 
in  accordance  with  the  decree  of  court,  turned  over  certain  property 
without  the  bond  and  sccurUy,  which  he  had  all  along  contended 
was  just  and  proper,  and  as  he  expected,  it  was  soon  squandered. 
It  seemed  that  he  had  common  sense  and  justice  on  his  side,  but  the 
capricious  law,  and  hoary  precedents,  were  decided  to  bo  against 
him. 


408  MEMOIRS    OF 

inating  and  profound  ;  as  a  statesman,  be  would  have 
taken  an  honorable  station  amongst  the  Shermans,  the 
Macons,  and  the  Crawfords  of  the  land. 

Mr.  Mercer  was  not  an  extensive  reader ;  nor  was 
he  learned,  in  the  ordinary  acceptation  of  that  phrase. 
To  an  acquaintance  with  polite  literature  he  made  no 
pretensions.  His  early,  though  partial  academic 
course,  introduced  him  to  some  acquaintance  with 
Latin  and  Greek,  an  acquaintance  however  which  he 
never  advanced  to  any  considerable  extent  in  future 
life.  *'  His  library,"  says  an  intimate  friend,  "  was 
not  extensive  but  select.  His  books  were  not  so  much 
his  guides  as  his  attendants  in  the  pursuit  of  know- 
ledge ;  he  used  them  principally  for  the  purpose  of 
reference.  The  Bible  with  him  was  first  and  last. 
He  generally  kept  lying  by  him  on  his  desk  a  plain 
copy,  without  note  or  comment ;  this  he  redd^  and  this 
he  studied. 

"  Of  what  is  styled  Biblical  Criticism,"  (continues  the 
writer,)  "he  knew  comparatively  little;  yet  he  could, 
with  the  help  of  Parkhurst,  make  out  a  comment  upon 
certain  passages  in  the  Greek  Testament  with  sur- 
prising  accuracy.  His  principal  canon,  however,  was 
to  compare  scripture  with  scripture.  He  always  read 
slowly,  and  reflected  j)rofoundly  upon  what  he  read- 
His  great  intellectual  strength,  I  conceive,  was  owing 
to  this  habit  of  reflection.  By  this  the  relations  of 
things  and  events  were  traced  out,  and  no  matter  how 
latent  some  of  these  relations,  they  were  distinctly 
seen,  and  in  his  jDublic  exercises,  brought  out  to  open 
day.     *  *  * 

"  In  the  composition  of  sermons.  Father  Mercer 
made  but  little  use  of  paper.  Very  rarely  did  he  pre- 
pare skeletons,  and  when  he  did,  they  were  exceed- 
ingly brief.     He  simply  marked  the  heads  or  principal 


JESSE    MERCER.  409 

topics  of  his  discourses,  and  the  quotations  which  he 
intended  to  introduce.  The  fact  is,  he  could  not  write 
as  he  could  speak.  To  the  latter  he  was  trained  in 
his  own  peculiar  way,  to  the  former  he  had  no  train- 
ing at  all.  The  most  of  his  sermons  were  noted  in 
his  mind,  by  his  favorite  mode  of  reflection.  Some 
of  the  very  best  I  ever  heard  him  preach,  were  made 
up  in  his  carnage  as  he  rode  along,  without  pen,  ink, 
or  paper,  or  even  a  Bible." 

In  his  preparations  for  the  pulpit,  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  studying  subjects,  more  frequently  than  texts. 
He  would  fix  upon  some  theme  which  he  deemed 
important  to  present  to  his  people,  and  then  arrange 
in  his  mind  such  arguments  as  he  could  gather  from 
the  scriptures  and  other  sources.  This  being  done, 
he  did  not  find  it  difficult  to  fix  upon  a  text  which 
would  serve  as  an  appropriate  motto,  and  to  which 
he  could  easily  give  sufficient  prominence  in  the  body 
of  his  discourse.  The  practice  of  studying  subjects, 
rather  than  texts,  he  recommended  to  other  ministers. 

It  was  one  of  the  most  interesting  features  in  the 
intellectual  operations  of  Mr.  Mercer,  that  he  took 
plain,  strong,  common-sense  views  of  almost  every 
subject  that  engaged  his  attention.  He  had  not  a  very 
lively  imagination,  but  what  he  did  possess  seemed  to 
be  under  the  complete  control  of  his  well-balanced 
judgment.  The  fanciful,  the  visionary,  the  extrava- 
gant had  no  charms  for  him.  His  aim  was  simple, 
unadulterated  truth  ;  and  this  he  sought  in  a  direct  and 
natural  way.'  He  had  the, rare  faculty  of  looking  at 
things  as  they  are,  and  of  presenting  them  in  their 
native  reality,  in  their  own  simple  and  undistorted 
proportions  to  the  view  of  others.  If  he  presented  at 
any  time  views  that  were  new  and  original,  (and  who 
so  often   exhibited  such  things,)  it  was  still  evident 


410  MEMOIRS    OF 

that  his  common  sense  had  gone  down  with  him  into 
the  mines  of  thought.  He  brought  up  solid  and  pre- 
cious things  which  others  had  not  seen  before,  yet  they 
were  still  the  gems  of  truth ;  if  they  were  new,  they 
were  still  natural ;  if  they  were  original,  they  were 
still  realities.  The  process  would  often  seem  so  easy 
that  the  child  would  wonder  it  had  not  done  the  same 
thing  before ;  the  gems  so  bright  and  truthful,  that  it 
would  seem  strange  they  had  remained  hid  so  long. 

Long:  will  Jesse  Mercer  be  held  in  honorable  esti- 
mation,  as  one  that  was  a  truly  able,  pious,  instructive 
and  powerful  minister  of  "  the  glorious  gospel  of  the 
blessed  God."  Indeed  it  was  in  this  character  that  he 
was  contemplated  with  most  interest  when  living ;  and 
it  is  in  this  character  that  he  will  stand  forth  most  pro- 
minent in  those  recollections  which  are  permanently  to 
survive  him.  The  impression  which  his  preaching  made 
upon  the  mind  of  a  distinguished  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel, (Rev.  W.  B.  Johnson  of  S.C.)  whose  discriminating 
powers,  and  extensive  range  of  observation  amongst 
men,  especially  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  entitle  his 
opinions  to  great  weight,  was  no  doubt  the  impression 
left  upon  the  minds  of  many  others.  "  Having  been 
with  Br.  Mercer,"  he  remarks  in  a  letter  to  the  bio- 
grapher, "  at  public  meetings  mostly,  I  had  not  an  op- 
portunity of  forming  a  full  estimate  of  him  only  as  a 
preacher.  In  that  character  he  was  to  me  the  most 
interesting  man  that  I  ever  heard  without  exception." 
The  views  of  President  Manly,  (a  brother  similarly 
qualified  to  judge  of  solid  merit,)  who  was  permitted 
occasionally  to  listen  to  his  pulpit  exhibitions,  are  of 
the  same  import,  though  he  has  expressed  them  a  little 
more  fully. 

"  There  was  so  much,"  says  he  in  a  letter  to  the 
writer,  "  that  was  good  and  great  about  him,  and  his 


JESSE    MEKCEIl.  411 

powers  seemed  to  be  so  well  balanced,  that  he  was 
remarkable  perhaps  more  for  the  contemperament 
of  a  multitude  of  excelleneies,  than  for  a  few  promi- 
nent or  shining  traits. 

**  To  feel  his  greatness,"  (continues  Mr.  M.)  **  it  was 
necessary  to  have  heard  Jilm  preach  under  hairpy  cir- 
cu?7istanccs.  At  other  times  he  was  characterized  by 
a  solid  judiciousness  in  all  he  did  or  said,  sanctified 
by  a  simple,  fervent  piety.  But  in  his  happy  moments 
of  ineachingy  he  would  rouse  and  enchain  the  atten- 
tion of  reflecting  minds  beyond  any  minister  I  have 
ever  heard.  At  such  times,  his  views  were  vast,  pro- 
found, original,  striking,  absorbing,  in  the  highest  de- 
gi'ee  ;  while  his  language,  though  simple,  was  so  terse 
and  pithy,  so  pruned,  consolidated  and  suited  to  be- 
come the  vehicle  of  the  dense  mass  of  his  thoughts, 
that  it  required  no  ordinary  effort  of  a  well  trained 
mind  to  take  in  all  that  he  said.  I  well  remember  a 
circumstance  illustrative  of  what  I  say.  At  a  meeting 
of  the  S.  C.  Baptist  State  Convention  held  at  Edo-e- 
field  C.  H.,  (probably  in  1823,)  father  Mercer  preach- 
ed preparatory  to  communion  on  Sunday,  and  Dr. 
Furman  was  one  of  his  hearers.  His  text  was,  '  For 
if  the  blood  of  bulls  and  of  goats  and  the  ashes  of  an 
heifer  sprinkling  the  unclean,  sanctifieth  to  the  puri- 
fying of  the  flesh  ;  how  much  more  shall  the  blood  of 
Christ,  who,  through  the  eternal  Spirit  offered  himself 
without  spot  to  God,  purge  your  consciences  from 
dead  works  to  serve  the  living  God.'  It  was  one  of 
his  happy  times  ;  and  after  a  few  of  his  honest  shrugs, 
and  workings  of  his  neck  and  shoulders,  as  if  to  push 
)>is  huge  frame  into  his  armor,  he  got  fairly  under 
*ivay.  Dr.  Furman  sat  next  me  in  the  congregation. 
Although  much  absorbed  myself,  I  could  but  notice 
that  the  Doctor,  (whose  unconscious  and  inordinate  use 
of  snuff',  when  excited  and  engaged  was  remarkable,) 


412  MEMOIllS    OF 

passed  his  hand  to  his  pocket  with  singular  celerity 
and  frequency.  At  length,  as  the  subject  advanced 
and  the  interest  deepened,  the  snuff  box  returned  no 
more  to  the  pocket,  but  remained  open  on  his  knee  ; 
while  the  thumb  and  finger  plied  incessantly  and  full- 
freighted  between  it  and  his  nose.  Father  Mercer 
was  now  reasoning  out,  by  overpowering  argument* 
the  position,  that  the  divinity  of  Jesus  Christ  is  neces- 
sary to  his  atonement ;  and  when  he  announced  the 
conclusion,  proved  and  clear,  the  venerable  saint. 
Dr.  F.  brought  his  hand  dowTi  violently  on  his  krree, 
exclaiming  audibly,  '  what  an  important  thought  f  " 

There  was  but  little  in  Mr.  Mercer's  manner  in 
the  pulpit,  which  would  come  up  to  the  exact  and  re- 
fined rules  of  oratory.  His  voice  w^as  not  particu- 
larly strong  nor  distinguished  for  its  compass  and 
melody.  When  overstrained,  as  was  sometimes  the 
case,  it  had  a  shattered  sound,  and  now  and  then, 
when  the  speaker  became  somewhat  affected,  it  would 
glide  off  into  a  peculiar  tone.  His  gesticulation  was 
rather  clumsy,  and  the  fastidious  might  find  fault  with 
the  occasional  shiugging  of  his  shoulders,  and  the 
side-way  motion  of  the  head  which  was  so  peculiar  to 
himself;  but  after  all,  his  appearance  in  the  desk  was 
far  from  being  uninteresting.  The  fair  and  comely 
baldness  of  his  head,  his  venerable  mien,  his  portly 
frame,  his  countenance  clothed  with  meekness,  be- 
nevolence, intelligence  and  devotion,  rendei^ed  him 
an  object  of  peculiar  interest  and  respect,  wherever 
he  stood  forth 

"  To  negotiate  between  God  and  man, 
As  God's  ambassador,  the  grand  concerns 
Of  judgment  and  of  mercy." 

To  those  who  had  been  long  accustomed  to  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  Mercer,  those  peculiarities  of  his 
manner  which  criticism  might  condemn,   assumed  a 


JESSE    MERCER.  413 

comely  aspect ;  lliey  seemed  to  be  so  essentially  a 
part  of  tlie  man,  so  necessary  as  it  were,  to  his  perso- 
nal identity,  that  their  correction  would  rather  have 
been  painful,  and  left  upon  tlic  mind  what  would  have 
been  regarded  as  a  defective  and  mutilated  image  of 
their  venerated  friend. 

"  His  discourses,"  (to  use  the  correct  and  able  de- 
lineation of  another,*)  "though  not  constructed  upon 
the  scientific  rules  of  composition,  were  of  a  liigJi 
order.  His  representations  of  divine  truth  possessed 
great  moral  power.  Whilst  he  seemed  untrammelled 
by  the  laws  of  criticism,  he  violated  not  the  principles 
of  true  taste.  His  sermons  were,  for  the  most  part, 
doctrinal,  yet  always  tending  to  practical  results. 
His  language  had  a  noble  bearing  which  made  it  a 
suitable  vehicle  of  his  noble  thoughts.  The  accurate 
principles  of  sound  logic  ran  through  his  perform- 
ances, though  its  forms  were  not  at  all  times  visible. 
Ungodly  men  of  cultivated  minds  listened  to  his  ser- 
mons as  to  an  intellectual  treat.  Religious  men  en- 
joyed them  as  affording  a  spiritual  feast,  as  well  as  an 
intellectual  treat.  To  the  graces  of  oratory,  Mr.  Mer- 
cer made  no  pretensions,  but  there  was  an  unction 
from  the  Holy  One,  that  breathed  from  his  spirit,  and 
beamed  from  his  sweet  and  heavenly  eye,  that  en- 
chained and  animated  the  hearer,  and  thus  more  than 
supplied  the  absence  of  oratorical  grace." 

Mr.  Mercer  never  preached  without  method,  yet 
lie  seldom  announced  beforehand  the  aiTangement  of 
his  sermons.  As  he  advanced,  his  plan  was  gradually 
and  clearly  unfolded,  well  based  upon  the  text,  and 
happily  connected  and  proportioned  in  its  various 
parts.      As  the  natural   consequence  of  his  general 

•   Bi-Jthrr  W.  B.  .Johr.son,  in  tho  S.miliern  Bifiiit   AJvocate. 


414  MEMOIRS    OP 

method  of  preparing  for  the  pulpit,  (that  is,  of  study- 
ing subjects  rather  than  texts,)  he  would  most  fre- 
quently lay  down  some  general  doctrine  or  princi- 
j)le  as  naturally  deducible  from  his  text,  and  then 
proceed  to  illustrate  it  by  strong  and  well  defined  ar- 
guments ;  occasionally,  however,  he  would  fall  into 
the  expository  mode  and  follow  out  the  leading  ideas 
and  clauses  of  the  passage  before  him,  in  a  kind  of 
extended  comment.  His  discourses  were  generally 
of  a  moderate  lengtli,  varying  from  forty  minutes  to 
an  hour.  Seldom  did  he  preach  his  hearers  into  a 
listless  frame.  Most  generally  would  he  leave  them, 
(particularly  on  special  subjects  and  important  occa- 
sions,) regretting  that  he  had  not  continued  longer, 
and  more  especially,  as  it  was  so  evident  from  what 
he  had  said,  that  the  fountain  of  argument  and  illus- 
tration in  his  richly  furnished  mind  was  still  deep  and 
unexhausted.  When  excited  and  moving  on  through 
his  subject  with  his  full. force,  he  seemed  like  a  huge 
rock  forcing  its  way  through  the  compressed  sides  of 
a  mountain  chasm  ;  he  would,  not  only  clear  away  all 
the  difficulties  in  his  main  track,  but  by  the  friction  of 
his  great  mind,  strike  out  thoughts  upon  incidental  and 
collateral  subjects,  of  much  power  and  brightness,  and 
which  would  supply  the  minds  of  the  auditors  with  rich 
themes  for  after  reflection.  His  power  of  amplifica- 
tion was  not  great ;  his  words  did  not  often  flow  down- 
upon  the  people  in  a  rushing  torrent,  but  rather  fell 
like  a  shower  of  massive  golden  apples.  He  never 
encumbered  his  topics  with  useless  verbiage  and  vain 
repetitions :  his  language  was  jjlain,  simple,  appropri- 
ate and  uncommonly  compressed,  each  word  seeming 
to  occupy  a  suitable  and  important  place,  like  a  well- 
squared  brick  in  a  piece  of  solid  masonry. 

That  peculiar  feature  of  his  mind  which  has  al- 


JESSE    MERCER.  415 

ready  been  so  often  alluded  to,  was  very  conspicuous 
in  his  pulpit  efforts.  He  was,  without  controversy, 
one  of  the  most  original  preachers  of  the  age.  His 
manner  and  his  thoughts  were  in  a  peculiar  sense  his 
own ;  as  has  been  well  observed  by  another,  "  he 
tried  to  imitate  no  one,  nor  could  any  one  imitate  him 
with  success."  He  had  a  suitable  respect  for  the 
opinions  of  judicious  expositors  of  the  word  of  God  ; 
yet  in  the  spirit  of  christian  honesty  and  indepen- 
dence he  dared  to  differ,  if  need  be,  from  any  or  from 
all,  thinking  deeply  for  himself,  and  making  every  ar- 
gument that  he  emj^loyed,  pass  through  the  alembic  of 
his  own  mind.  Few  preachers  in  our  country,  of  any 
denomination,  have,  through  the  uniform  course  of 
their  ministry,  brought  into  their  discourses  an  equal 
amount  of  valuable  and  entertaining  thought  that 
might  be  regarded  as  the  peculiar  fruit  of  their  own 
mental  efforts. 

To  form  a  full  estimate  of  Mr.  Mercer's  ability  and 
worth  as  a  preacher,  it  was  necessary  to  have  heard 
him  often,  and  under  various  and  dissimilar  circum- 
stances. There  are  some  ministers  who,  on  particu- 
lar occasions  and  on  special  subjects,  vnxh.  ample  time 
f<Dr  preparation,  will  rise  to  an  unusual  elevation  ; 
when  the  average  tenor  of  their  discourses  exhibits 
but  little  more  than  monotonous  tameness  and  stinted 
mediocrity.  Like  a  little  stream,  when  swollen  by  a 
sudden  shower,  they  will  sometimes  dash  and  roar; 
and  like  that  stream,  their  ordinary  flow  is  confined 
to  a  very  shallow  and  narrow  channel.  Not  so  Mr. 
Mercer.  His  course  was  deep  and  wide.  His  preach- 
ing embraced  a  large  scope  of  religious  instruction, 
and  exhibited  a  richness  and  variety  quite  above  the 
common  average.  Long  study  and  deep  reflection 
had  made  him  familiar  with  the  great  system  of  di- 


416  MEMoms  OP 

vine  truth,  and  fixed  in  his  mind  innumerable  scrip- 
ture phrases  and  illustrations ;  whilst  his  regular  and 
well-ordered  habits  of  thought  gave  him,  especially 
when  roused,  great  command  of  his  valuable  re- 
sources. The  word  of  Christ  dwelt  in  him,  indeed 
richly  in  all  wisdom ;  and  as  a  workman  that  needeth 
not  to  be  ashamed,  he  was  eminently  qualified  to  di- 
vide out  that  word,  its  doctrines  and  its  duties,  its 
promises  and  its  threatenings,  its  prophetic  visions 
and  its  historical  details,  giving  to  every  one  his  por- 
tion in  due  season.  Many  persons  who  had  heard 
much  of  this  eminent  preacher,  might,  upon  hearing 
him  the  first,  the  second  and  even  the  third  time,  ex- 
perience a  feeling  of  disappointment;  but  it  would 
be  like  the  disappointment  of  the  traveller,  who,  for 
the  first  time,  approaches  the  Mississippi,  and  hap- 
pens to  stiike  the  stream  at  a  point  where  the  jutting 
banks  and  the  impending  forests  hide  half  its  current 
from  the  sight.  "Is  this  the  Father  of  Waters  ?"  he 
might  almost  unconsciously  exclaim  ;  but  a  few  hours 
journey  along  the  banks  would  remove  the  sense  of 
disappointment,  and  leave  him  satisfied  that  common 
fame  had  not  exaggerated  this  natural  wonder.  So  a 
sufficient  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Mercer  would  gene- 
rally change  disappointment  into  admiration,  and  jus- 
tify the  long  established  estimate  which  the  public  at 
large  had  placed  upon  his  preaching. 

Though  he  was  judicious  and  entertaining  upon  al- 
most every  scriptural  theme  and  felt  it  his  duty  to 
declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God,  yet  there  were  some 
subjects  upon  which  he  dwelt  with  more  frequency 
than  others,  and  which  afforded  delightful  scope  for 
his  peculiar  powers.  He  delighted  in  contemplating 
the  gospel  as  a  scheme  which  honored  God  and  abased 
the  creature.     Upon   the   majesty  of  the  law,   the  ex- 


JESSE    MERCER.  417 

ceeding  sinfulness  of  sin,  the  amazing-  obligations  of 
llie  sinner,  and  his  total  inability  to  rescue  himself 
from  his  ruined  and  guilty  state ;  the  infinite  virtue 
of  the  atonement,  the  uncontrolled  sovereignty  and 
glorious  efficiency  of  divine  grace,  he  was  truly  great. 
The  cross  of  Christ  was  the  fixed  luminous  centre 
of  all  his  preaching.  Planting  his  feet  on  Calvary  as 
their  immoveable  resting  jilace,  he  pointed  his  hearers 
back  to  the  ancient  and  infmstrable  designs  of  mercy, 
never  afraid  of  the  words,  eternal,  and  before  the  foun- 
dation of  the  icorld  ;  then  traced  out  in  a  manner  most 
clear  and  instructive  the  gradual  developments  of 
that  mercy  in  the  shadows  of  the  Mosaic  dispensation  ; 
then  gazing  at  the  hallowed  ground  on  which  he  stood, 
with  a  flowing  eye,  and  a  full  heart,  and  his  noble 
powers  roused  to  their  full  strength,  would  he  por- 
tray with  unequalled  power,  the  fulfilment  of  type  and 
prophecy  and  eternal  counsel  in  the  infinitely  merito- 
rious sufferings  of  the  Son  of  God  ;  thence  would  he 
advance  to  unfold  the  application  of  those  sufferings 
in  the  subjugation  of  the  sinner's  heart  by  the  word 
and  the  Spirit,  his  complete  justification  before  God 
by  the  imputed  righteousness  of  Christ,  and  the  grand, 
certain  and  eternal  results  connected  with  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This  was  the  general  scope,  the 
unvarying  substance  of  his  preaching.  He  did  not  of 
course  unfold  the  whole  system  in  any  single  discourse ; 
but  enough  of  it  in  eveiy  sermon,  cither  in  a  doctrinal 
or  practical  form,  to  show  to  what  school  of  theology 
he  belonged.  If  he  went  off  in  his  discussions  to  illus- 
trate the  various  dependent  and  collateral  themes  of 
the  gospel,  (and  this  he  often  did,)  the  line  of  his  argu- 
ment was  finnly  bound  to  the  great  cardinal  truths 
embraced  in  this  system  ;  he  look  not  a  single  step  in 
any  direction  in  which  he  did  not  distinctly  feel  the 

19 


418  MEMOIRS    OF 

drawing  of  the  strong  centre,  and  in  which  all  other 
attentive  minds  could  not  feel  the  drawing.  He  was 
indeed  eminently  a  gospel  preacher.  "  How  is  Mr. 
Mercer  ]"  said  Dr.  Staughton,  to  a  gentleman  from 
Georgia.  "  Well,"  was  the  answer.  "He  exerts  gredt 
influence  in  that  state,"  continued  Dr.  S.  "  His  word 
is  Z«w,"  replied  the  other.  "  I  am  sure,"  said  the 
Doctor,  "  it  is  gospel.'^  And  this,  it  may  be  safely  said, 
would  be  the  testimony  of  every  intelligent,  sound, 
and  evangelical  hearer. 

Mr.  Mercer's  discourses  generally  made  a  distinct  as 
well  as  lasting  impression  on  the  mind.  They  had  form, 
weight,  and  tangibility.  They  were  not  like  those 
smooth,  pretty,  impalpable,  and  evanescent  things 
sometimes  called  sermons,  which  glide  away  without 
leaving  any  valuable  impression  upon  the  heart,  or 
sentiment  in  the  mind ;  but  so  to  speak,  they  were 
well  furnished  with  hooJcs  and  handles  by  which  the 
people  could  take  hold  of  them,  and  convert  them  to 
some  lasting^  advantas^^e.  The  noble  fracrments  of  ma- 
ny  a  sermon  preached  twenty,  thirty,  and  forty  years 
ago,  are  still  floating  in  the  memories  of  the  people. 
There  are  some  of  our  aged  brethren  whose  minds 
recur  with  deep  interest  to  a  meeting  of  the  Georgia 
Association,  held  long  ago  at  Shiloh,  when  on  Monday 
evening  he  delighted,  melted,  and  enchained  a  con- 
gregation of  three  thousand  or  more,  in  delineating 
from  a  passage  in  the  12th  chapter  of  Revelation,  the 
trials  and  triumphs  of  the  christian  church.  Amongst 
other  things,  the  amazing  power  which  the  speaker 
gave  to  a  short  quotation  from  the  Song  of  Solomon, 
in  illustrating  the  oneness  of  the  true  church,  is  remem- 
bered with  indelible  distinctness — there  are  threescore 
queens,  and  fourscore  concuhines,  and  virgins  uithout 
number :  My  dove,  my  undefiled  is  but  ONE.     The 


JESSE    MERCER.  410 

impression  made  by  a  discourse  at  Bcthesda,  on  llio 
ten  commandments,  whicli  was  listened  to  by  a  crowd- 
ed assembly,  is  not  yet  forgotten :  many  intelligent 
professional  men  were  present,  and  expressed  at  the 
close  their  astonishment  at  the  profound  knowledge 
which  the  speaker  exhibited  of  the  fundamental  prin- 
ciples of  law.  His  discourse  at  Washington,  many 
years  ago,  on  the  Covenant,  was  a  memorable  effort : 
several  of  opposing  sentiments,  knowing  what  was  to 
be  the  subject  of  discussion,  carried  with  them  their 
ink  and  paper  to  take  notes  of  the  sermon : — in  the 
conclusion  it  was  admitted  that  if  h«  had  not  proved 
his  doctrine,  he  had  come  nearer  doing  it,  tliciii  had 
ever  been  done  before.  His  sermon  on  Ezekiel's 
valley  of  dry  bones,  is  still  visible  in  the  minds  of  some 
of  his  aged  hearers;  and  also  another  from  that  sub- 
lime text,  8cck  Him  that  maketli  tlw  seven  Stars  and 
Orion. — Will  the  writer  be  pardoned  for  introducing 
in  this  connexion,  in  as  brief  a  manner  as  possible, 
some  of  his  own  recollections  of  one  of  Mr.  Mercer's 
•sublime  and  noble  efforts.  He  remembers  hearing 
him  preach  at  the  meeting  of  the  Savannah  River  As- 
sociation at  Barnwell  Court  House,  South  Carolina,  in 
1824.  The  text  was  a  part  of  the  25th  verse  of  the 
1st  chapter  1st  Corinthians :  "  The  weakness  of  God 
is  stronger  than  meny  It  was  a  passage  admirably 
suited  to  the  peculiar  genius  of  the  preacher ;  his  mind 
happened  at  the  time  to  be  remarkably  free  and  un- 
beclouded,  whilst  the  feelings  of  his  heart  were  in  a 
very  tender,  devout,  and  propitious  frame.  He  first 
illustrated  what  he  supposed  might  be  understood  by 
the  weakness  of  God :  this  he  considered  as  referring 
mainly  to  the  despised  Gospel  of  a  crucified  Redeem- 
er. He  next  considered  in  what  the  strength  of  men 
might  be  said  to  consist;  for,  said  he,  "  the  text  seems 


420  MEMOIRS   OF 

to  imply  that  men  have  some  kind  of  strength  witTr 
which  the  weakness  of  God  is  brought  into  conflict." 
He  here  enlarged,  in  a  manner  most  powerful  and 
convincing,  upon  the  pride,  ignorance,  and  deep-seated 
corruption  of  the  human  heart.  He  then  proceeded 
to  show  how,  by  weak  and  insignificant  means,  the 
Irord  thwarted  the  vain  and  proud  designs  of  man, 
and  how,  especially  by  the  application  of  gospel  truth 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  stubborn  and  rebellious  hear* 
was  effectually  and  savingly  subdued.  It  was  a  mas- 
terly effort  of  the  human  mind.  His  track  was  as  clear 
as  the  noon.  His  simple  and  energetic  language,  his 
apt  illustrations,  and  his  invincible  reasoning,  render- 
ed every  thing  visible.  The  audience  could  but  have 
felt  that  they  were  in  the  kands  of  a  master  spirit,  or 
rather  in  the  hands  of  a  glorious  and  almighty  Sove- 
reign, whose  power  was  portrayed  \yith  such  pungent 
and  heart-searching  strokes ;  and  whilst  their  minds 
were  led  captive  by  the  matchless  argument,  their 
feelings  were  evidently  much  affected  by  the  holy  fer- 
vor, the  tender,  sweet,  and  heavenly  pathos  of  tho 
venerable  preacher. 

Many  such  recollections*  might  be  gathered  up,  and 
presented  in  illustration  of  tho  impressive  character 
of  Mr.  Mercer's  preaching.  It  is  tiTie,  we  have  re- 
fenced  to  some  of  his  extraordinaiy  discourses ;  but  it 
may  very  naturally  be  inferred  that  an  individual,  who 
could  in  so  many  instances  make  himself  remembered 
for  twenty-five  or  fifty  years,  would  be  likely,  in  his 
ordinary  ministrations,  to  present  much  which  would 
leave  deep  traces  upon  the  minds  of  his  hearers ;  and 
this  was  eminently  true  of  IMr.  Mercer. 

He  depended  more  upon  the  plain  and  full  exhibi- 

*  Sen  Appendix,  B 


JliSSL    MERCEK.  121 

Jtioii  of  the  various  truths  of  the  gospel  to  affect  and 
subdue  the  sinner's  heart,  than  u2")on  direct  and  hor- 
tatory ajDpeals  ;  yet  tlicsc  appeals  were  not  unfrequent; 
.and  sometimes  they  were  urged  with  a  pungency  and 
power  that  rendered  them  iiTesistible.  He  ever  aim- 
ed at  blasting  the  vain  and  self-righteous  hopes  of  the 
carnal  heart,  revealing  its  deep  and  abominable  cor- 
ruptions, that  in  its  self-despair,  and  self-loathing,  it 
might  be  prepared  to  welcome  the  consolations  of  the 
gospel.  Those  consolations  he  knew  how  to  unfold 
to  the  weary  and  heavy  laden,  and  with  much  of  the 
tender,  yearning,  and  weeping  love  of  his  divine  Mas- 
ter, would  he  conduct  them  gently  on  to  the  fountain 
of  life. 

In  illustration  of  the  occasional  power  and  terrible- 
ness  of  his  appeals  to  the  sinner,  an  incident  might  be 
related.  He  once  preached  from  the  text,  if  any  7na7i 
love  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  let  him  he  anatlicTna, 
viaranatha.  It  happened  that  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished and  gifted  men  in  the  country  was  present  on 
.the  occasion,  and  was  much  impressed  with  the  so- 
lemn discourse.  "  I  could  feel,"  said  he,  afterwards, 
'*  the  very  curse  of  God  running  through  my  honest 

On  experimental  themes  he  was  truly  eminent.  He 
bad  studied  profoundly  the  workings  of  his  own  heart  ; 
noticed  with  great  accuracy  and  attention  the  various 
religious  exercises  of  the  saints  as  recorded  in  the  sa- 
cred scriptures,  as  well  as  many  others  whose  instruct- 
ive biography  he  had  perused,  or  with  whom  he  had 
formed  a  personal  acquaintance ;  and  he  was  thus 
prepared  to  accommodate  himself  with  great  readi- 
ness and  success,  to  the  spiritual  necessities  of  believ- 
ers in  all  the  various  stages  of  their  christian  experi- 
ence. In  his  favored  times,  when  dwelling  on  exper- 
imcjutal  suljjects,  there  was  a  ripeness,  a  sweetness,  a 


422  MEMOIRS    OF 

soul-engaging  unction  in  his  communications,  wliiclj' 
the  writer  remembers  not  to  have  witnessed  in  any 
other  preacher.     At  such  times,  his  word's,  mellowed 
by  his  own  devout  and  tender  affections,  and  freighted 
with   the  iTiost   appropriate    and   precious   thoughts, 
would  glide  like  heavenly  oil  into  the  hearts  of  his. 
pious  hearers,  as  it  were^  to  the  lowest  depths,  awa- 
kening in  the  bosom  sentiments  of  holy  tenderness 
and  sweet  delight.     To  the  aged,  way-wora,  and  af- 
flicted pilgi'im,  these  occasions  were  truly  transfigura- 
tion hours ;  seasons  when  they  were^  enabled,  under 
the  guidance  of  this  skilful  Master  in  Israel,  to  range- 
"the   land  of  Beulah,"    and  climb    "the   delectable 
mountains." 

Will  the  writer  be  pardoned  for  introducing  here 
a  rather  amusing  incident  somewhat  illustratiTe  of 
what  has  just  been  said  %  It  is  presented  in  the  lan- 
guage of  Mr.  Sherwood,  who  had  it  from  Mr.  Mer- 
cer's own  lips,  "  An  excellent  Methodist  brother  who 
attended  his  preaching  and  was  very  fond  of  him, 
used  frequently  to  express  his  approbation  by  a 
hearty  amen,  when  any  sentiment  or  expression 
pleased  him,  and  these  were  very  frequent.  Mr.  M. 
in  private,  kindly  observed  that  he  did  not  disapprove 
such  expressions,  if  they  were  appropriate  and  well- 
timed;  *but  you  sometimes  manifest  your  assenS 
when  the  denunciations  of  God  are  made  against  the 
wicked,'  &c.  &c.  This  cooled  his  ardor  for  a  season,, 
and  he  was  silent  though  restless.  At  last,  when 
some  rich  doctrine  of  truth  dropped  from  the  preach- 
er's lips,  he  exclaimed  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  ''amen  / 
rough  at  a  venture.^  You  may  well  conceive  of  the 
effect,  both  on  the  audience  and  speaker.'^' 

The  record  exhibited  in  the  preceding  pages  of  Mr. 
Mercer's  religious  sentiments,,  will  justify  the  appli' 


JESSE    MERCER.  423 

cation  to  him  of  the  term  strict  Cahnnist ;  though 
perhaps  the  expression  high  Calv'mist  would  convey 
ii  moro  correct  idea  of  his  doctrinal  views  in  early 
days.  Upon  taking  charge  of  the  Index,  in  1833,  he 
thus  defines  himself: 

"  Its  editor  has  nothing  of  which  he  -can  boast,  as 
though  he  did  not  receive  it.  But  as  of  the  ability 
which  God  giicth,  he  is  willing  to  minister  the  mani- 
fold grace  of  God,  to  the  huilding  up  of  the  godly  in 
Christ  Jesus  on  their  most  holy  faith  ;  and  to  the  con- 
vincing of  the  ungodly  of  their  danger  in  sin  ;  and 
leading  them  to  the  acknowledging  of  the  truth  as 
it  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  and  to  faith,  which  is  in 
him,  that  they  may  be  saved.  He  is  rather  of  the  old 
than  of  the  new  school ;  and  inclines  to  the  old  fash- 
ioned doctrine  o^  free  grace,  as  preached  among  the 
Baptists  near  half  a  century  ago.  Though  he  does  not 
mean  to  quibble  or  criticise  on  mere  modes  of  ex- 
pression or  shades  of  difference,  whei-e  the  truth  is  not 
co7npr omitted.  He  does  not  fully  receive  all  Mr. 
Fuller's  views  of  the  methods  of  divine  mercy,  yet  is 
satisfied  with  his  scheme  (as  now  generally  preached, 
when  kept  within  its  own  bounds,)  as  leading  to,  and 
finally  securing  the  same  great  and  glorious  results, 
as  those  of  the  most  approved  and  (to  use  a  common 
epithet,)  calvinistic  writers  of  his  age." 

In  the  early  and  middle  part  of  Mr.  Mercer's  min- 
istry, he  devoted  a  large  portion  of  his  discourses  to 
the  doctrinal  peculiarities  of  his  faith,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  glided  off  with  considerable  zeal,  into  matters 
of  controversy ;  but  in  his  declining  years,  his  sermons 
assumed  a  more  practical  character,  and  were  seldom 
directly  controversial. 


424  '  MEMOIRS    OF 

In  prayer  Mr.  Mercer  had  a  very  pleasant  and  edi 
fying  gift.  In  this  exercise  he  was  not  as  fluent  and 
copious  as  many ;  yet  he  was  always  appropriate, 
never  tedious,  adapted  himself  happily  to  circum- 
stances and  occasions ;  as  in  every  thing  else,  was  re- 
markably simple,  generally  fervent,  and  at  times,  sur- 
passingly tender  and  affecting.  His  approaches  to 
the  throne  of  gi'ace  were  always  marked  with  great 
reverence  and  humility ;  he  carried  with  him  to  this 
solemn  duty  exceedingly  high  thoughts  of  God,  and 
low  thoughts  of  himself;  and  seemed  to  lie,  as  it 
were,  a  little,  sinful,  dependent  atom  at  the  feet  of  the 
divine  Majesty.  His  prayers  were  full  of  contrite 
confession  and  thankful  praise  ;  full  of  the  merits  and 
intercession  of  the  God-man,  Christ  Jesus,  and  ac- 
knowledgments of  entire  and  absolute  dependence 
upon  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  He  did  not  offer  up, 
as  many  do,  preaching  prayers,  but  jjraying  prayers. 
He  prayed  to  God,  and  not  to  men.  He  did  not  seem 
to  have  any  hackneyed  form,  either  in  the  pulpit,  the 
social  prayer-meeting,  or  at  the  family  altar ;  readily 
varying  his  expressions  as  feeling  and  occasion 
prompted;  and  he  had  fewer  common-place  and 
hereditary  phrases  in  prayer,  than  almost  any  other 
man.  His  scriptural  allusions  were  generally  happy, 
sometimes  remarkably  so ;  and  if  there  was  less  of 
the  exact  phraseology  of  the  bible  in  his  prayers  than 
in  those  of  some  other  ministers,  yet  the  spirit  and 
substance  of  scripture  petitions  were  eminently  there. 

To  the  reader  of  the  preceding  pages  it  might 
seem  superfluous  to  say  that  his  piety  was  above  the 
common  standard.  He  was  evidently  a  man  of  faith, 
and  a  man  of  prayer ;  deeply  imbued  with  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  gospel,  habitually  governed  by  religious 
principle.     There  seemed  to  be  much  uniformity  in 


JESSE    MERCER.  495 

his  religious  feelings,  (resulting  in  part,  no  doubt, 
from  his  equable,  constitutional  temperament ;)  he  sel- 
<lom  rose  to  rapturous  heights,  and  seldom,  it  is  ap- 
prehended, fell  into  the  hands  of  Giant  Despair.  He 
liSfd  humble  thoughts  of  his  best  performances,  ex- 
alted conceptions  of  the  majesty  of  God ;  and  ardent 
love  for  holiness  and  truth,  a  profound  sense  of 
•tl«3  evil  nature  of  sin,  and  of  hig  own  sin,  as  that 
which  had  greatly  offended  his  Maker,  and  loaded 
with  anguish  the  soul  of  the  precious  and  adorable 
Lamb  of  God. 

If  the  writer  were,  in  a  single  sentence,  to  present 
the  most  distinct  and  prominent  idea  which  lie  has  of 
Mr.  Mercer's  piety,  he  would  say,  t/^cre  he  is,  a  little 
child  at  the  feet  of  the  Saviour,  tender,  ajfcctionate, 
huinhle,  iienitcnt,  obedient  and  adoring ;  glory ino-  in 
'Christ  as  his  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification  and 
redemption,  and  looking  with  a  simple  faiUi,  and  a 
calm,  serene  hojic  for  the  viercij  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  unto  eternul  Ifc. 

The  history  of  his  heart,  any  farther  than  it  has 
been  developed  by  his  long  life  of  christian  upright- 
ness, pious  labor,  and  disinterested  zeal  for  the  glory 
of  God  and  the  salvation  of  souls,  must  ever  remain 
in  a  gix?at  measure,  a  secret  to  the  world.  He  kept 
no  diary  in  which  he  recorded  from  day  to  day  tlie 
struggles  between  the  flesh  and  the  spirit  which 
passed  in  his  bosom,  and  the  peculiar  discij^line  by 
which  he  chastened  his  spirit  into  subjection  to  the 
will  of  God ;  nor  did  he  dwell  very  freely  in  conver- 
sation or  in  his  more  public  remarks,  upon  his  own 
religious  exercises.  The  knowledge  we  have  of  the 
lowly  estimate  which  he  formed  of  himself,  would 
lead  us  to  suppose  that  he  saw  but  little  in  his  own 
religious  experience  which,  in  his  estimation,  would 

19* 


426  MEJvroms  of 

be  very  important  to  others,  or  upon  wlilch,  if  re- 
corded in  a  daily  jourBal,  he  could  look  himself,  in 
after  days,  with  much  satisfaction  or  profit,  Th© 
chasm  which  is  thus  left  in  his  religious  history,  will, 
no  doubt,  be  a  matter  of  regret  to  many;  but  still  we 
should  be  thankful  that  so  much  of  this  good  marr 
still  survivei3  in  a  distinct  and  tangible  shape  for  our 
instruction,  reproof  and  comfort;  and  remember  that 
after  all,  our  heavenly  Father  well  knows,  even  to  an 
iota,  how  many  fragments  of  the  life  and  experience 
of  his  departed  servants  he  will  have  use  for  in  car- 
-rv-ii'T  forward  his  gracious  designs  of  mercy  and  sal- 
vation. 

It  has  already  been  said  that  Mr.  Mercer  had  his 
faults.  To  deny  this  would  be  to  claim  for  him  some- 
thinof  more  than  human.  Yet  it  is  believed  that  he 
was  a  careful  observer  of  his  own  character,  and  that 
he  judged  of  himself  with  greater  strictness  and  se- 
verity, than  most  other  persons  would  feel  at  liberty 
to  do.  "  I  think  it  has  been  told  of  him,"  (said  Mr. 
Sturgis  in  his  funeral  discourse,)  "  that  having  heard 
something  in  himself  spoken  of  by  way  of  reprehen- 
sion, he  replied,  *  If  they  knew  as  much  of  me  as  I 
know  of  myself,  they  would  think  worse  than  they 
do.'  "  He  had  naturally  a  rather  high  temper,  as  lit- 
tle as  many  persons  would  suspect  it,  a  sudden  flash 
of  which  would  occasionally  be  seen  through  the  grates 
of  the  strong  prison  in  which  he  kept  it  guarded.  His 
natural  fondness  and  ability  for  the  accumulation  of 
property,  would  have  betrayed  him  into  covetousness, 
but  for  the  influence  of  strong  counteracting  princi- 
ples ;  and  if  the  high  estimation  which  he  placed  upon 
the  good  opinion  of  others  could  not  be  regarded  as 
leaning  to  faultiness,  it  sometimes  perhaps  made  him 
needlessly  sensitive  when  censured  by  his  brethren, 


JESSE    MERCER.  427 

or  assailed  by  his  enemies.  He  used  sometimes  to 
remark,  **  it  is  said  that  ^^ccd'/i/Awe**  is  one  of  the  sins 
of  old  age ;  I  feel  that  it  is  so  with  me,  for  I  perceive 
that  I  am  getting  peevish  as  I  am  getting  old."  But 
as  an  illustration  of  that  kind  of  complacency  with 
which  he  looked  upon  the  indulgence  of  this  disposi- 
tion, it  might  be  stated  that  when  at  a  certain  time  he 
sjioke  to  a  young  ministering  brother  in  rather  a  short 
and  peevish  manner,  his  generous  soul  had  no  rest  un- 
til he  went  to  the  house  of  that  brother,  and  made  a 
meek  and  child-like  acknowledgment  of  his  en'or. 
**  My  own  opinion,"  remarked  Mr.  Sturgis,  in  connex- 
ion with  his  observation  quoted  above,  "  however  is, 
that  what  gave  importance  to  any  supposed  or  real 
indiscretion  in  him  was,  that  it  was  he."  And  this 
will  probably  be  regarded  by  most  as  a  very  just  re- 
mark. Whatever  may  have  been  the  faults  of  Mr. 
Mercer,  they  were  in  general  such  as  in  ordinary  men 
would  not  have  excited  much  observation.  Like  a 
few  small  spots  u|)on  a  snow-white  robe,  or  an  occa- 
sional knotty  shrub  and  unseemly  brier  in  the  midst 
of  an  extensive  and  charming  landscape,  his  eiTors 
gained  their  visibility  and  distinctness  mainly  from  the 
gieat  beauty  and  brightness  with  which  they  were 
surrounded. 

It  has  also  been  said  that  he  had  his  enemies.  In 
some  instances,  their  ungenerous  attempts  to  disturb 
his  peace  and  blast  his  fair  name,  was  the  source  of 
the  deepest  distress  that  he  was  ever  called  to  suffer 
on  earth ;  yet  on  all  such  occasions,  the  dark  clouds 
soon  passed  away,  leaving  the  individual  around  whom 
for  a  time  they  had  gathered,  unscathed,  upon  the 
bright  elevation  which  he  had  previously  occupied,  at 
the  same  time  reflecting  from  their  dark  and  angiy 
lolds  as  they  receded,  the  useful  and  important  moral, 


428  MEMOIRS    OF 

that  a  meek,  christian  spirit,  secures  the  most  honorable 
victory  over  evil,  and  that  little  is  to  be  gained  in  the 
end  by  those  who  needlessly  assail  exalted  worth.  One 
thing  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  when  malignity  found 
occasion  to  assail  him,  it  was  generally  through  the 
medium  of  palpable  falsehood,  or  by  a  disingenuous 
and  prejudiced  effoit  to  give  great  importance  to  mi- 
nor faults.  What  higher  compliment  could  wicked- 
ness pay  to  virtue,  unless  it  be  that  which  was  paid 
by  Pilate  to  the  spotless  Son  of  God,  "  I  find  no  fault 
in  this  many 

The  mental  elevation,  the  distinguished  piety,  the 
ministerial  excellence,  which  were  combined  in  the 
character  of  Mr.  Mercer,  will  in  a  great  measure  ac- 
count for  the  extensive  and  wonderful  influence  which 
he  exerted  over  the  minds  of  men.  Yet  in  connexion 
with  these  peculiar  qualities,  which  so  eminently  pre- 
pared him  to  sway  the  opinions  of  others,  there  were 
other  favoring  circumstances,  which  must  be  taken  in- 
to consideration.  He  lived  long,  and  thus  the  autho- 
rity of  age  and  experience  brought  its  appropriate, 
additional  force.  It  must  be  remembered  also  that 
his  ministerial  relations  were  of  a  permanent  charac- 
ter :  from  early  youth  he  lived  and  labored  upon  the 
same  field  of  action.  Consequently  the  chain  of  his 
influence  was  not  broken  by  frequent  removals  to  new 
theatres  of  labor,  where  a  new  influence  was  to  be 
created,  and  a  new  character  in  some  sense  to  be 
formed.  Though  he  sometimes  changed  the  place  of 
his  immediate  residence,  yet  he  still  retained  his  con- 
nexion with  the  same  general  organizations  for  pious 
and  benevolent  eff*orts,  remained  intimately  associated 
for  a  long  series  of  years  with  the  same  band  of  faith- 
ful fellow-laborers,  and  mingled,  in  at  least  his  occa- 
sional ministrations,  with  the  same  mass  of  population, 


JESSE    MERCER,  429 

except  as  death  and  emigration  effected  their  gradual 
changes.  Thus  he  gained  a  prominent  and  well- 
established  character  amongst  the  churches  and  the 
people.  He  had  time  to  make  his  mark.  He  had  an 
opportunity  for  being  fully  known  and  appreciated. 
Multitudes  grew  up  from  youth  to  manhood,  and  even 
to  comparative  old  age,  under  his  ministry,  and  thus 
received  his  impress.  The  solid  reputation  which 
he  had  gradually  secured  for  himself  at  home,  was 
known  far  and  wide,  and  opened  a  ready  way  before 
him,  so  that  when  he  made  his  frequent  and  extensive 
excursions  through  the  country,  the  people  were  every- 
where prepared  to  receive  him  as  one  clothed  with 
"the  authority  of  a  prophet.'*  As  he  left  them,  hav- 
ing delivered  his  message  from  the  Lord,  they  general- 
ly felt  that  **it  was  a  true  I'eport  that  they  had  heard 
of  him;"  and  there  lingered  behind  a  precious  and 
lasting  savor. 

His  connexion  with  the  press  for  so  many  years,  and 
the  extensive  circulation  of  many  of  his  ^publications, 
esjKJcially  the  Cluster,  which  associated  the  name  of 
Mercer  with  the  sweet  devotions  of  thousands,  still 
tended  to  widen  the  influence  of  his  o^^inions,  and  add 
to  the  authority  of  his  name.  Beside,  he  was,  by  the 
happy  and  well  proportioned  combination  of  his 
powers,  and  especially  by  the  grace  and  providence 
of  God,  kept  from  most  of  those  little  follies,  and  wild 
eccentric  flights,  which  oftentimes  greatly  impair,  if 
not  wholly  destroy  the  influence  of  many  otherwise 
shininjT  and  eminent  men.     How  sfrikinfr  is  the  in- 

O  O 

spired  sentiment  of  the  wise  man,  ^^  dead  files  cause 
the  ointment  of  the  apotliccary  to  send  forth  a  stinking 
savor  ;  so  doth  a  little  folly  him  that  is  in  reputation  for 
wisdom  and  honorT  There  were  very  few  dead  flies 
in  the  composition  of  Mr.  Mercer. 


430  MEMOIRS    OF   JESSE    MERCER. 

Finally,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  Mr.  Mercer*s 
life  was  spent  in  the  midst  of  one  of  the  most  densely 
populated  regions  of  Georgia.  From  that  region,  a 
steady  tide  of  emigration  has  for  many  yeai's  past  been 
rolling  out  to  numerous  and  far  distant  places ;  and 
wherever  it  has  rolled,  upon  the  opinions,  the  piety 
and  the  habits  of  thought  which  it  has  borne  along,  is 
to  be  seen  more  or  less  of  the  bright  impress  of  the 
venerable  Mercer.  Thus  by  his  exalted  merit,  his 
faithful  services,  his  long  life,  his  well-balanced  charac- 
ter in  connexion  with  propitious,  providential  allot- 
ments, was  he  enabled  to  gain  an  influence  over  the 
public  mind,  unequalled  in  the  history  of  Southern 
Baptists,  if  not  of  the  entire  denomination  in  our 
country — an  influence  pure  and  bright  and  salutary, 
ranging  in  deep  lines  from  the  Savannah  River,  to  the 
distant  confines  of  Texas,  nay,  not  altogether  unfelt  in 
many  other  remote  regions  of  the  land,  and  in  distant 
heathen  lands — an  influence  that,  through  the  favoring 
grace  of  God,  it  may  be  confidently  hoped  will  Jong 
survive  to  benefit  mankind.  Whilst  the  names  of 
Bunyan,  and  Fuller,  and  Ryland,  and  Pearce  of  En- 
gland ;  and  of  Baldwin,  and  Semple,  and  Furman  of 
our  own  favored  country  shall  be  known  and  loved,  so 
long  will  the  name  of  JESSE  MERCER  be  held  in 
affectionate  and  sacred  remembrance. 


APPENDIX. 


A 

Alcmoranda  of  occasional  remarks  made  hy  Mr.  Mercer  in 
his  sermons^  private  conversation^  Sfc. 

"  Whenever  I  see  a  professed  Clirislian  taking  pleasure  in  sin,  1 
cannot  help  fearing  ho  may  ho  a  decoived  soul ;  becniise  the  Scrip- 
lures  expressly  teach  us  that  if  any  man  be  in  Christ  Jesus  he  is  a 
new  creature.  Now  if  I  were  to  see  a  liog  taken  very  sick,  and  it 
should  como  very  near  dying,  but  all  at  once  should  bo  changed  into 
a  sheep,  I  could  never  expect  to  see  that  sheep  tako  pleasure  in 
wallowing  in  a  mud  hole,  but  would  rather  expect  to- find  it  in  green 
pastures,  or  by  the  still  waters." 

"  Peoplo  sometimes  say  we  make  too  much  ado  nbotit  llic  schisms 
which  occur  among  the  discri)les  of  Christ,  and  the  word  is,  '  leC 
fhcm  alone,  and  they  will  all  arrive  at  the  same  point  at  last.'  But 
1  cannot  help  thinking  if  it  be  true  that  we  have  all  started  right,  and 
may  all  come  out  right,  we  are  travelling  more  like  a  herd  of  cattle 
through  a  lane  than  any  thing  else.  This  is  not  like  a  company  ot 
Iiorscs  in  Pharaoh's  chariot.  This  is  not  being  all  of  one  mind  and 
one  accord.     This  is  not  the  peace  and  order  of  the  go«pel." 

Referring  to  an  article  in  the  constitution  of  a  certain  associatitm 
ill  which  non-fellowship  was  declared  against  the  benevolent  institu- 
tions of  the  day,  IMr.  Mercer  remarked,  that,  by  the  adoption  of  that 
article  the  anti-missionaries  had  not  in  the  least  affected  us.  It  was 
evidently  their  intention,  by  that  aiticle,  to  establish  ilicmselvrs 
more  fntnly,  and  if  possible  to  unsettle,  or  move  the  missionary  breth- 
ren. "  But,"  continuecl  he,  "  the  attempt  has  resulted  precisely  as 
wf)uld  the  effort  of  a  man  to  move  a  ship  from  her  moorings  by 
pushing  against  her  from  a  small  boat;  the  small  boat,  wc  all  know, 
would  movo  and  not  the  ship.  So  they  in  this  have  shifted  their 
ground,  while  wc  remain  where  wc  were." 

•'  There  is  a  great  difTorence,"  said  he,  "  between  an  obedient 
and  a  disobedient  christian.  The  o«c  is  like  a  sheep  that  remains 
near  the  fokl,  and  sustained  by  proper  food,  and  enjoying  the  shep- 
henl'a  care,  is  kept  in  a  fat  and  healthy  condition;  whilst  the  other 
is  like  a  sheep  that  wanders  far  from  the  fold,  through  barren  and 


432  APPENDIX. 

unwholrsome  jiasturo?,  and  nmongst  briers  and  thorns:  at  length, 
poor  thins; !  it  comes  up  weakly,  nnd  lank,  and  almost  dead,  its  wool 
all  torn  off,  and  its  skin  dreadfully  mangled." 

In  conversation  about  a  preacher  who  had  a  little  learning  and 
wa^  pretty  full  of  conceits,  he  once  made  this  remark.  "  He  re- 
minds me  of  a  foolish  dog  I  once  heard  (<f,  that  was  in  pursuit  of  a 
deer,  but  coming  to  a  place  where  a  fox  had  crossed  the  track,  he 
left  the  deer  and  ran  after  the  fox  ;  he  liad  not  followed  the  fox  far, 
Iwforo  he  arrived  at  a  spot  where  a  rabbit  had  crossed  ;  forthwith 
he  leaves  the  fox  and  takes  after  the  rabbit;  and  when  the  hunter 
t;ame  up,  he  had  left  the  rabbit  and  was  barking  at  a  mouse-hole. 

Br.  sometimes  sets  out  after  something  valuable,  but  his  folly 

drives  him  to  the  mouse-hole  before  he  stops." 

Speaking  of  persons  interpreting  the  Scriptures,  according  to  .pre- 
viously adopted  creeds,  he  said,  "  thoy  are  like  ship-builders,  who 
first  construct  the  frames  of  their  vessels,  and  then  employ  the  wedge., 
th '  screw,  the  lever,  and  every  implement  belonging  to  their  craft  to 
bring  the  othor  timbets  to  fit  the  frame  so  constructed.  'J'hcy  will  not 
hesitate  to  torture  the  text,  make  havoc  of  every  principle  of  common 
sense,  do  violence  to  every  canon  of  sober  interpretation  ; — all  this 
and  more  :  their  dogmas  must  be  sustained,  though  truth  be  jrrostru- 
tedto  the  earth." 

Of  that  spurious  sort  of  liberality  sometimes  so  highly  extolled  by 
professors  of  religion,  he  once  remarked,  "  It  is  like  a  company  of 
men  setting  out  upon  a  journey.  •'  Come,'  says  one,  (and  perhaps 
he  has  less  money  than  any  one  of  the  company,)  '  let  us  all  have 
one  purse,  let  our  expenses  be  paid  out  of  the  common  stock.^  It 
would  be  illiberal  to  do  otherwise.  In  this  way  they  that  have  but 
little  fare  as  well  as  ihey  that  have  much.  So  in  regard  to  religious 
-^  opinions.  Let  tho  denominations  waive  their  differences,  all  com- 
mune together,  and  whatever  inconsistencies  arc  found  to  exist 
amongst  them,  arc  chargeable  to  the  whole;  and  they  that  have  the 
least  of  truth  on  their  side,  are  the  most  clainorous  for  liberality." 

Ho  was  once  preaching  from  Heb.  G:  1.  His  main  object  was  to 
impress  on  Christians  the  importance  of  aiming  at  high  atttiin- 
ments  and  going  on  to  perfection.  "  Unless  we  aim  at-a  high  mark," 
said  Air.  Mercer,  "  we  shall  never  attain  to  eminence,  as  we  shall 
not  bo  likely  to  rise  higher  than  our  aim.  Some  Christians  aro 
afraid  to  aim  high.  Alas  !  they  have  not  as  much  courage  as  a 
chicken.  As  I  was  sitting  in  my  piazza  one  pleasant  evening  last 
summer,  my  attention  was  drawn  towards  the  fowls  as  they  were 
going  to  their  rest.  One  little  chicken  particularly  attracted  my  no- 
tice. He  fixed  his  eye  upon  a  limb  pretty  high  up  a  certain  tree,  and 
made  an  incttectual  effort  to  gain  it.  He  then  took  another  position 
and  repeated  his  effort  to  reach  the  limb,  but  again  was  unsuccessful. 
Still,  in  no  wise  discouraged,  he  kept  his  eye  upon  the  limb  first  cho- 
sen, and  tried,  and  tried,  and  tried  again  ;  but  to  no  purpose.  Six 
times  he  tried  and  failed,  but  the  seventh  time  ho  reached  the  limb. 


APPENDIX.  433 

My  hretlin^n,  aim  lii.!;h — press  on  to  ppifoclion — try  to  li;ivo  n^  much 
couiagu  ami  (>ci6cviiuiuu  ns  tliui  little  cliicUeri." 

•' Clirist  to  many  is  Q3  u  root  out  of  dry  groinul.  In  jia-seing 
through  Q  dry  onJ  sandy  rogion,  you  havo  noticed  now  and  tlioii  a 
root  connectc^l  with  a  stinted  scruhby  tree,  naked  and  exposed.  For 
the  want  of  moisture  and  the  necessary  richness  of  soil,  it  exhibifg 
u  very  meagre  growth — it  is  crooked  and  knotty,  a  very  unseemly 
object  to  the  eye :  such  u  deformed,  unseeiidy,  and  worthless  thing 
is  Christ  to  the  carnal  mind." 

*'  Shall  I  tell  you  how  the  fishermnn  secures  the  monster  of  the 
deep?  He  rows  his  little  boat  along  side  the  huge  fish,  poises  his 
barbed  iron,  takes  sure  aim,  and  hurls  it  at  his  prey.  The  little 
instrument  has  t'ound  its  way  to  a  sure  place,  and  remains  immove- 
able. The  fisherman  now  gives  rope.  Oft"  darts  the  wounded  levi- 
athan, and  in  his  rage  and  pain  lashes  furiously  the  great  deep.  But 
the  barbed  iron  is  there,  and  every  successive  struggle  leaves  him 
weaker  and  weaker,  until  at  last  he  yields  himself  up  a  vanquished 
captive,  and  is  now  easily  inanaged  as  a  heljdcss,  harmless  thing. 
Thus  God  by  his  Spirit,  fixes  his  truth  in  the  heart  of  the  proud, 
Btubborn  sinner;  he  resists,  and  flounders,  and  hastens  off — but  tho 
truth  is  there — a  deep  and  sure  wound  is  inflicted  ;  by  degrees  tho 
strength  of  his  rebellion  is  overcome,  he  becomes  weary  of  sinning 
and  wandering,  and  at  last  yields  himself  up  a  willing  and  joyful 
captive  to  the  cords  of  divine  love  and  grace." 

"  Take  another  figure.  See  how  the  farmer  tames  that  wild  ox. 
He  throws  a  strong  rope  upon  his  head  and  binds  him  to  a  tree. 
The  animal  resists  and  rages.  But  his  strength  and  fury  are  unavail- 
ing ;  his  violent  and  long  repeated  struggles  to  escape  at  last  exhaust 
him;  his  savage  nature  yields  ;  and  finally  he  becomes  entirely  sub- 
dued and  tamt;d,  a7id  a  Utile  child  may  lead  him.  So  t^io  Lord 
binds  his  grace  and  his  truth  upon  tlio  wild  unsubdued  sinner  : 
his  proud  resistance  is  gradually  overcome,  and  at  last  we  see  him  a 
meek  and  gentle  lamb.  Thus  the  gospel  which  men  pronounce  weak 
and  foolish  accomplishes  its  blessed  work,  and  it  is  seen  that  the 
weakness  of  God  is  stronger  than  men.^' 

'•When  a  man  professes  himself  converted  to  God,  and  tho  first 
step  he  takes  is  in  error,  what  is  to  be  thought?  Is  he  converted  ? 
CcMiveited  he  may  be  to  religion,  but  it  is  a  question  whether  ho  is 
converted  to  God.  I  think  the  Lord  is  tloing  a  good  work  here,  but 
it  appears  to  me  very  much  like  a  baru-jloor,  when  the  wheat  is  in 
the  short  straw  and  chafl',  much  more  bulky  than  valuable." 

When  ho  would  dissuade  bis  brethren  from  projects,  which  re- 
quired pecuniary  means  beyond  what  they  had  in  hand,  he  would 
often  say,  "  let  us  gel  the  fodder  be  fore  we  buy  the  horse." 

"  I  recollect  to  have  heard  him  (>nys  a  friend)  once  quote  John  5  : 
11.  '  Foi'  what  things  soever  he  (the  Father)  doelh,  these  also  the  Son 


434  AfPENDlX. 

doeth  likewise.'  Now  said  he,  a  boy  sees  his  father  make  a  plough  ; 
he  falls  to  work  and  makes  a  plough  also  ;  but  lo  I  there  are  two 
ploughs.  Not  so  with  the  work  of  the  Father  and  the  Son.  The 
Father  makes  the  world  ;  the  Son  does  the  same  work,  he  makes 
the  world  too ;  there  is  but  one  result — one  world.  If  God  made 
the  world,  and  the  Son  made  the  world,  who  can  resist  the  conclu- 
sion that  the  Son  is  God  ?" 

In  preaching  the  funeral  sermon  of  a  pious,  and  venerable  minis- 
ter, he  made  the  following  remark:  "  Ministers  are  God's  medicines 
for  the  people.  When  the  physician  begins  to  gather  up  his  medi- 
cines and  put  them  in  his  saddle-bags,  preparatory  to  his  departure, 
the  patient  begins  to  feel  that  his  case  is  desperate  :  so  when  God 
gathers  up  his  medicines — takes  away  his  faithful  ministers — it 
looks  as  though  the  condition  of  the  people  is  becoming  desperate." 


B 

Recollections  of  one  of  Mr.  Mercer'' s  Ser7no7is,  furnished  the 
Biographer  by  tJieKEV.  W.  H.  Stokes. 

Hancock  Co.,  Dec.  19,  1843. 
"Dear  Brother  Mallary, 

I  send  50U  the  following  recollections  of  a  sermon  delivered 
by  Father  iSIercer  at  Clark's  Station,  Wilkes  Co.,  in  the  summer  of 
1837,  from  James  4:  12.  'There  is  one  lawgiver  who  is  able  to 
save  and  to  destroy.'  At  this  distance  of  time,  I  cannot  of  course 
recollect  many  of  the  precise  expressions,  byt  I  will  tiy  to  present 
some  of  the  thoughts  advanced  in  that  discourse. 

"  The  venerable  preacher  remarked  in  his  introduction,  that  God, 
whom  we  worship,  is  a  being  of  infinite  perfections.  By  his  omnip- 
otence he  has  produced  ail  orders  of  existence,  and  by  the  same 
perfection  of  his  character,  exercised  in  connexion  with  infinite 
wisdom  and  goodness,  he  governs  all  thJtt  he  has  made.  It  was  not 
his  purpose,  however,  to  notice  the  various  instances  in  which  the 
truth  of  this  remark  would  appear,  but  to  invite  the  attention  of  his 
hearers  to  some  few  of  the  prerogatives  of  this  One  Lawgiver.     And 

"  I.  It  was  in  his  power  to  save.  That  his  hearers  might  under- 
stand the  whole  truth  upon  this  subject,  it  was  necessary  that  they 
should  learn  to  think  of  the  infinite  Jehovah  as  the  Moral  Ruler  of 
the  Universe  ;  or,  in  the  language  of  the  text,  as  the  '  One  Lawgiver' 
to  the  whole  of  his  rational  creation.  *  But,'  he  added,  '  you  are 
not  to  suppose  this  great  Sovereign  could  have  given,  with  equal 
honor  to  himself,  and  equal  safety  to  his  subjects,  one  set  of  laws  as 
well  as  another.  This  would  have  been  to  deny  himself.  God  is 
infinitely  holy  as  well  as  infinitely  powerful,  wise  and  good.  A  law 
that  was  unholy,  or  destitute  of  goodness,  would  have  been  unseemly, 
as  coming  from  infinite  purity,  and  therefore,  unfit  to  guard  the  inte- 
rests of  a  perfectly  holy  throne,  and  to  secure  the  well-being  of  those 


APPENDIX.  435 

upon  wliom  it  vva?  to  oporato.  No  law,  !>iit  one  holy,  just  and 
good,  was  adequate  to  llie  piiiposos  of  j)resenting  the  chiinis  of  the 
*  Lawgiver,'  or,  of  exhibiting  tlie  duties  and  obligations  of  his 
subjects. 

"  'Against  such  a  law  ns  this,*  said  Father  M.,  in  a  tone  pecu- 
liarly his  own,  *wo  have  all  sinned.  And  it  is  written,  Cursed  is 
every  one  that  conlinucth  not  in  all  things  written  in  the  book  of 
the  law  to  do  them.  A  grievous  curse  rests  upon  the  head  of  tho 
sinner,  because  he  is  found  guilty  of  a  most  grievous  offence.  He 
Iras  rebelled  against  infinite  majesty,  and  in  that  rebellion  trampled 
upon  the  best  possible  law.  And  it  would  seem,  nothing  but  hell 
could  be  the  portion  of  one  guilty  of  such  presumptuous  wrong-doing! 
but  Osui-prising  grace!  tho  Lawgiver  has  power  to  savt,  and  to  save 
to  the  uttermost  all  that  come  unto  him.' 

"  'It  may  be  worth  while,'  he  continued,  'for  us  to  ascei-fain  as 
far  as  we  can,  the  grounds  upon  which  this  power  is  exercised. 
And  in  the  first  place,  it  is  not  by  a  repeal  of  the  law.  This  stands 
for  ever  the  same.  Secondly,  it  is  not  by  a  modification  of  tho  law— 
none  of  its  claims  are  waived,  none  of  its  rigors  are  softened.  But 
it  is  because  the  law  has  been  magnified  and  made  honorable  by  the 
Son  of  God.  By  his  glorious  atonement,  the  life  of  the  sinner  may 
be  spared  and  the  throne  of  justice  remain  untarnished.  Him  hath 
God  set  forth,  not  only  in  the  view  of  the  world,  but  in  view  of  tho 
whole  universe,  to  be  a  propitiation  through  faith  in  his  blood,  to 
declare  his  righteousness  for  the  remission  of  sins  that  are  past 
through  the  forbearance  of  God.  According  to  this  measure  of 
moral  government,  God  can  be  just  and  the  justifier  of  him  that 
believeth  in  Jesus.' 

"[Here  was  given  such  a  view  of  the  nature  and  ends  of  the 
atonement,  as  nearly  entranced  us  all.  For  myself,  though  no  en- 
thusiast on  such  occasions,  it  was  with  difficulty  I  could  sit  still,  or 
refrain  from  shouting  aloud.  Not  that  the  old  gentleman  was  so 
eloquent,  as  some  would  call  it,  or  that  he  was  stormy  ;  but  on  ac- 
count of  the  majesty  of  his  thoughts.  I  remarked  to  a  brother  at 
the  close,  that  every  passage  in  that  discourse  seemed  as  heavy  as  a 
mountain.] 

"  Having  disposed  of  the  first  division  of  his  discourse  he  pro- 
ceeded in  the  second  {)lace  to  say, 

"  *IL  The  Lawgiver  hath  power  to  destroy.  This  is  not  a  derived 
power.  It  proceeds  directly  from  the  essential  nature  o^  him  who 
wields  it.  It  is  not;  a  power  assumed  arbitrarily.  Nor  is  it  ever 
exerted  without  the  best  possible  reason.  We  have  heard  of  the 
wrath  of  God,  and  of  his  indignation ;  but  these  are  figurative  ex- 
pressions. No  vengeful,  no  vindictive  feelings,  in  the  strict  accepta- 
tion of  those  terms,  ever  occupied  the  divine  mind.  The  sinner 
dies — it  is  the  legitimate  result  of  law.  The  wages  of  sin  is 
death. 

'  Tho  law  gives  sin  its  damnlDg  power.* 

"  '  He  who  enacts  a  law  and  makes  it  binding  must,  of  course, 
have  power  to  connect  a  i)enalty  with  such  law.  And  we  should 
ii.ituraliy  fxpect,  in  such  a  case,  the  penally  to  exhibit  the  import- 
ance ui  tkic  law,  uud  the  dignity  of  llie  gouice  whence  it  came.    Tho 


436  APPENDIX. 

Most  High,  in  cstiiblishing  the  government  of  which  we  have  been 
spcalung,  certainly  acted  a  part  worthy  of  himself,  set  up  an  insti- 
tution, 80  to  speak,  free  from  all  the  impel fections  which  attach  to 
things  merely  human,  ami  for  the  support  of  this  institution  all  the 
perfections  of  his  nature  were  solemnly  pledged.  In  order  then  to 
present  his  throne  as  worthy  the  allegiance  of  all  loyal  subjects,  he 
must  punish  transgressors.  He  has  power  to  punish  them  and,  }ui 
will  punish  them. 

"  '  You  perceive  then,'  said  the  preacher,  *  according  to  the  nature 
of  law  and  government,  that  God  has  power  to  destroy  the  sinner, 
to  cast  both  body  and  soul  into  hell.  But  you  flatter  yourselves  that 
ho  never  will  so  destroy.  How  strangely  you  reason  J  Will  a  holy 
God  prove  unjust  ?  Does  not  every  well-arranginl  government  pledge 
itself  to  the  lovers  of  good  order  to  punish  the  rebellious  ?  And  sliall 
the  government  of  the  infinite  God  be  less  jealous  of  its  dignity  and 
honor  than  any  other  ?  Let  not  the  sinner  deceive  himself.  The 
fruit  of  his  own  doings  will  most  certainly  be  given  him. 

"  '  But  the  power  iri  question  has  been  exercised.  Fallen  spirits 
feel  at  this  moment  the  truth  of  this  remark.  Every  pang  ever  felt 
in  hell  is  woful  proof  of  its  truth.  Dives,  who  may  bo  regarded  as 
the  representation  of  all  thoughtless,  reckless  sinners,  proves  it  by 
his  piteous  yet  fruitless  wailings.  Look  at  the  divine  procedure 
towards  the  old  world.  Look  at  the  destruction  of  Sodom  and 
Gomorrah.  Korah  and  his  company  are  slain.  Ananias  and 
Sapphira  are  stricken  dead.  The  sword  of  justice  is  grasped  by  the 
hand  of  Omnipotence.     The  Lord  Jshovah  has  power  to  destroy.^ 

"In  some  such  strain  did  that  venerable  man  of  God  proceed  for 
some  fifty  minutes.  [  regard  the  whole  performance  as  one  of  his 
most  masterly  efforts^" 


The  following  Obituary  Notice  of  Mrs.  Mercer  was  originally 
published  in  the  Index  ;  but  believing  that  it  will  be  generally  ac- 
ceptable to  the  readers  of  this  volume,  the  Biogiapher  has  thought 
proper  to  insert  it  without  abridgment. 

"  Bro.  Stokes;  Your  readers  have  seen  in  the  Index,  a  notice  of 
the  death  of  my  dear  wife,  and  may  have  wondered  why  no  accom- 
panying obituary  appeared.  My  reason  for  this  is,  that  I  have 
thought  for  some  time,  that  long  publications  of  this  kind  are  very 
useless  things,  because  seldom  read;  and  the  reason  of  this  is,  first, 
that  the  deceased  are  little  known,  and  for  this  cause,  if  no  other, 
have  not  sufficient  estimation  abroad,  to  command  attention  bejond 
the  little  circle  of  their  relatives  and  personal  acquaintances.  And 
secondly,  and  more  particularly,  because  of  the  matter  of  those 
Kotices.  The  writers  of  obituary  articles  are  apt  to  indulge  feelings, 
which  lead  them  to  swell  their  memoirs  with  the  minutia  and  parti- 
culars of  the  last  illness  and  death  of  their  deceased  friends,  which, 
though  they  may  affect  the  hearts  of  the  immediate  connexions,  have 
no  interest  for  general  readers. 

"  However,  as  my  wife  was  extensively  known,  and  by  many, 
highly  csteomed,  1  sup[)Ose  it  is  due  to  them,  and  to  her  memory,  to 
£a^  sometliLng  more  psuticuluxly  in  jcfcrenco  toiler  life  and  doatb. 


ArrrNDix.  437 

I  theroforo  roqiippi  you  to  pivo  n  plnre  in  your  columns  to  tho  fol- 
lowing memoir  of  licr,  nnd,  I  prc^umo,  yr)u  will  obligo  many  of  hor 
friontld  nrul  iicqiiaintanrcs  nhroad,  hut  ospocinlly  lior  horeavod  hus- 
band, and  your  com[)anion  in  u  luiui-nlublo  und  distressing  widower- 
hood. 

'•Jksse  Mercer." 
"  Washington,  June  24,  184 1." 


"Nancy  Mkrcer,  the  suhjin-t  of  ihU  notice,  was  horn  in  Virginia, 
of  rosppctnhic  parentis,  on  the  30lh  of  October,  1772.  Her  father, 
Mr.  John  Mills,  emigrate  1  to  this  State  soon  alter  iho  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  war,  nnd  settled  on  Little  River,  in  this  county,  where 
lie  raised  his  daughter  in  the  stylo  and  education  of  those  times. 
Her  nioflier  was  a  pious  and  beloved  member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
nt  Kbenczer,  and  taught  her  in  llie  way  of  salval'on;  to  respect  reli- 
gion and  religions  projile,  especially  ministers  of  the  goppel.  She 
was  married  to  Cnpt.  A.  Simons,  Fi'bruary  Sth,  17L>3  By  this  con- 
nexion sho  was  rushed  inlj  all  sorts  of  company.  Mr.  S.  was  a 
man  of  wealth  and  of  the  world;  had  a  peculiar  faculty  for  the  ac- 
quisition of  property.  This  ho  did  very  much  by  trading,  which 
<lrew  about  him  every  class  of  men ;  besides,  ho  look  great  jileasuro 
in  having  about  him  gentlemen  of  honorable  name  and  worldly  pur- 
siiits.  Kirs.  S.  in  this  way  was  often  placed  in  the  society  of  all 
kinds  and  conditions  of  men,  which  niiiiht  suit  the  taste  and  con- 
venience, or  serve  the  interest  of  her  husband.  And  although  such 
were  not  the  companions  of  her  choice,  yet  she  was  always,  and  un- 
der all  circumstances,  ready  to  appear  and  serve,  and  on  all  occa- 
sions acquitted  herself  with  pleasure  to  the  com[>any,  honor  to  her 
husband,  and  respect  to  herself  In  this  condition  she  lived  for 
many  years,  in  the  midst  of  aftluence  and  worldly  splendor;  but  she 
was  not  satisfied.  In  retiren>ent,  sho  sought  for  belter  joys — joys 
which  woidd  satisfy  the  desire  of  an  immortal  spirit,  which  sho 
found  not  in  all  the  roiinns  of  worldly  plea-sure.  She  loved  to  at- 
tend on  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  of  salvation,  and  hence  she  was 
Hjiiformly  an  attendant  at  all  the  places  of  preaching  within  a  rea- 
sonable distance.  Mr.  S.  too,  was  vcy  polite  and  accommodating 
to  lier  in  this  respect;  often  attended  with  her,  and  for  her  gratifi- 
cation invited  ministers  home  with  thetn  ;  in  whose  company  and 
conversation  she  seemed  to  take  a  peculiar  pleasure.  It  was  in 
those  days  she  became  the  subject  of  deep  solicitude  and  anxioua 
concern  about  eternid  realities.  She  found  her  soul  v\as  lost  in  sin, 
nnd  she  knew  not  how  it  was  to  be  saved.  She  betook  herself  to 
leading,  meditation  and  prayer,  and  sought  to  satisfy  her  conscience 
by  tears  of  penitence.  And  for  a  while,  at  times,  she  was  encou- 
raged to  hope  sho  would  be  accepted  for  her  own  righteousness. 
But  this  refuge  failed  her,  because  of  her  short  comings,  and  the  im- 
perfection of  all  her  best  performances.  About  this  time  she  heard 
a  minister,  in  whom  she  placed  great  confidence,  say  in  preaching, 
*•  that  he  did  not  believe  any  one  would  ever  obtain  hope  in  Christ, 
till  he  acknowlegerl  the  justice  of  Cod  in  his  condemnation.'  Then, 
thought  she,  '  I  shall  never  be  converted;  for  I  can  never  acknow- 
ledge that.'     I'lit  it  was  not  long  before  she  was  so  exercised  about 


438  APPENDIX. 

the  evil  of  her  heart,  as  the  seat  of  all  her  vile  affections  and  wan- 
dering thoughts,  and  of  the  evil  nature  of  sin,  that  she  soon  came  to 
the  full  and  free  acknowledgment  of  what  she  had  thought  impossi- 
ble. Under  this  conviction  she  knew  not  what  to  do.  But  in  her 
distress  her  mind  was  turned  to  Christ  crucified,  as  the  only  way  by 
which  a  condemned  sinner  could  be  justified  and  saved.  And  by 
hearing  and  reading  the  word  of  God,  and  the  reference  of  sundry 
appropriate  promises  to  her  case,  she  was  gradually  brought  to  ex- 
ercise hope,  and  to  have  some  joy  and  peace  in  believing.  But  this 
was  interrupted  by  fears  lest  she  might  be  deceived,  which  gave  her 
excessive  distress.  She  was  called  to  a  new  source  of  trouble  about 
this  time,  by  the  deafth  of  her  husband,  by  which  she  was  thrown 
into  very  afflictive  and  trying  circumstances.  These,  added  to  those 
which  related  to  her  soul's  concerns  had  well  nigh  overpowered  lier, 
and  caused  her  to  sink  beneath  the  surges  of  mental  grief  and 
worldly  trouble.  But  in  her  great  distress  she  cried  unto  God,  and 
made  supplication  to  ihe  widow's  Judge,  and  found  relief  from 
David's  soliloquy  to  his  soul  in  trouble,  which  came  to  her  recollec- 
tion, ns  if  some  one  had  suggested  it, — '  Hope  thou  in  God.''  This 
turned  her  mind's  eye  to  God,  as  *  the  refuge  and  strength  of  the 
needy  and  oppressed  in  time  of  trouble,'  and  comforted  and  sustain- 
ed her  sinking  soul  for  a  while  at  least. 

"  Owing  to  the  death  and  removal  of  many  of  her  social  and  in- 
timate friends  in  her  neighborhood,  she  determined  to  remove  lo 
Washington,  where  her  civil  and  religious  privileges  might  be  in- 
creased. Here  she  took  great  interest  in  entertaining  those  minis- 
ters who  came  to  town,  or  were  journeying  by.  These  always  found 
a  sure  and  comfortable  sojournment  with  her.  From  these  and  the 
ministry  of  the  Word,  on  which  she  constantly  wailed,  she  sought 
food  and  comfort  for  her  troubled  soul ;  for  she  was  still  the  subject 
of  much  doubt  and  uncertainty  in  I'eference  to  her  hope  of  salvation. 
Her  fears,  lest  she  might  be  deceived,  often  prevailed  and  filled  her 
with  deep  distress. 

"  On  the  llth  of  December;  1827,  she  was  married  to  him,  who 
is  now  bereaved  by  her  lamented  death.  This  connexion  gave  her 
improved  opportunities  of  attending  on  the  ministry  of  the  gospel, 
and  of  conversation  on  the  rich  provisions  of  mercy  in  Christ  for 
those  who  were  ready  to  perish  ;  by  which  her  faith  became  strength- 
ened and  her  hope  so  confirmed,  that  in  July,  182S,  she  united  with 
the  Baptist  Church  of  Christ  in  this  place,  and  was  baptized  into 
Jesus  Christ,  thereby  putting  on  Christ  according  to  the  Scripture 
institution  of  that  holy  ordinance.  In  the  enjoyment  of  the  bless- 
ings of  this  union,  and  in  honor  of  this  profession,  made  before 
many  witnesses,  she  lived  until  death. 

"  But  I  should  do  injustice  to  her  memory,  if  I  were  not  to  say 
something  more  of  her  character,  at  least  in  a  few  particulars.  I 
n  )tice  the  following: 

"As  a  tonman — she  possessed  a  noble  spirit ;  was  high-minded 
and  generous — candid,  open  and  free  in  the  expression  of  her  senti- 
ments ;  having  an  unusual  share  of  moral  courage  ;  was  very  jealous 
for  her  good  standing  with  her  friends  and  biethi-en  ;  rather  severe 
in  her  censures,  but  easily  conciliated  when  the  least  advances  were 
made  by  the  adverse  party  ;  liberal  to  profusion ;  besides  her  own 


APPENDIX.  439 

relatives  and  the  induslrious  poor  around  her,  and  those  who  were 
brought  to  her  knowledge  as  such,  those  engaged  in  buiJding  plac(  9 
of  worship  in  tho  country  around — ihey  wlio  have  held  subscriptions, 
or  made  collections  for  religious  or  benevolent  purposes;  several 
ministers  who  devoted  themselves  wholly  to  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try, while  their  families  were  left  in  suHering  circumstances,  and 
many  others  could,  if  living,  rise  up  and  testify  to  the  truth  of  the 
above  statement. 

"  As  a  -wife — she  was  fondly  afToctionato,  ever  dutiful,  and  happy 
to  please. 

*'  As  a  honse-wife — she  was  industrious,  neat  and  clean.  Her 
house  and  household  wore  always  kept  in  an  arrangement  of  the  first 
order — every  thing  was  managed  with  the  most  noiseless  dexterity 
— her  beds  were  well  furnished,  and  free  from  those  annoyances, 
which  often  prevent  weary  men  from  their  desired  rest — her  table 
was  ever  crowned  with  plenty,  without  luxury — she  was  always 
aflable  and  polite  to  her  friends  and  sojourners,  it  beinjj  her  delight 
to  render  all  liappy  and  free  in  her  presence.  All  this  is  recorded 
in  the  knowledge  and  embalmed  in  the  metnory  of  many,  verv  manv 
friends,  brethren  and  ministers,  who  have  turned  in  and  partook  of 
the  hospitalities  of  her  house,  if  it  were  but  for  a  night. 

"  As  a  Christian  Professor — she  was  pious,  prayerful,  and  order- 
ly— she  was  a  lover  of  the  household  of  God,  and  of  the  gospel 
preached  there — she  was  of  a  discriminating  mind  in  hearing,  and 
enjoyed  that  doctrine  most  which  gave  the  most  honor  to  fiod  in  the 
salvation  of  sinful  men — but  still  she  was  a  weak  believer.  Her 
sense  of  the  holiness  of  God  and  of  the  whole  plan  of  the  gospel, 
contrasted  with  her  sinfulness,  rendcretl  her  the  subject  of  prevail- 
ing fears  and  doubts,  as  to  her  acceptance.  At  times  she  was  able 
to  rejoice  in  hope  through  the  precious  and  appropriate  promises  of 
the  gospel,  suited  to  her  case.  It  may  be  said  of  her,  that  most  of 
her  religious  life-time,  she  was  subject  to  bondage,  through  the  fear 
of  non-acceptance  on  account  of  her  unworthiness  and  sinful  in- 
firmities. 

"  In  her  last  illness,  which  was  long  and  trying,  no  particular 
change  was  apparently  eifecte  din  the  character  of  her  religious  feel- 
ings. While  she  was  capable  of  expressing  her  desires,  or  exercis- 
ing her  alfections,  it  was  evident  that  they  lay  on  the  same  objects 
of  pious  regard,  which  had  for  a  long  time  engaged  her  undivided 
love. 

"  I  presume,  bro.  Stokes,  as  your  readers  have  known  for  a  long 
time  back,  that  she  was  in  a  very  distressed  stale  of  affliction,  so 
that  I  could  not  think  of  leaving  her,  it  will  be  quite  gratifying,  at 
least  to  some  of  them,  to  be  somewhat  informed  of  the  case.  I  therc^ 
fore  yield  to  this  persuasion,  and  give  it  as  follows  : 

"  In  the  first  week  of  May,  1833,  she  was  stricken  with  palsy  in 
the  entire  right  side,  so  that  she  was  prostrate  for  some  time.  From 
this  she  gradually  recovered,  so  as  to  be  able  to  walk  about  the  house 
and  yard,  and  with  help  into  the  garden.  She  could  attend  jireach- 
ing  (which  was  her  chief  delight)  and  enjoy  the  company  of  her 
friends.  But  in  the  first  week  of  May,  1839,  (which  is  somewhat 
ri'^markable.)  she  was  stricken  in  her  left  side,  by  which  she  was 
aid  in  bed  an  entire  pnralytic.     From  this  she  recovered  so  as  to 


440  APPENDIX. 

sit  up,  and  for  a  while  io  feed  herself;  but  even  this  last  use  of  her 
self  soon  declined,  and  she  remained  unable  to  walk  a  step,  or  even 
stand  alone  to  the  day  of  her  death.  But  this  is  not  the  most  sad 
part  of  this  tale  of  wo.  Soon  after  her  last  attack,  symptoms  of 
mental  disorder  evidently  appeared,  which  gradually  increased  to  an 
entire  state  of  derangement.  Understanding  was  darkened.  Imagin- 
ation was  greatly  excited,  and  assumed  the  entire  control  of  reason 
and  judgment.  At  times,  she  was  calm  and  half  rational,  anon  more 
of  an  idiot  than  a  maniac,  but  most  of  her  time  she  was  perfectly 
lost  to  herself  and  all  around  her.  Her  ideas  were  the  most  wild 
and  disorderly — her  desires,  not  only  unreasonable,  but  impossible  to 
be  gratified — and  so  for  hours — nay,  for  days  and  weeks  at  intervals; 
she  would  cry  for  help,  or  relief  in  the  same  case,  or  wandering  from 
one  case  to  another  of  the  same  sort,  in  the  most  delirious  and  dis- 
tressing degree.  Oh  !  my  dear  brother,  you,  nor  any  mortal  on  earth, 
can  conceive  what  that  dear  creature  suffered  in  those  seasons  of 
mental  anguish  and  bewilderment.  Those  times  of  extreme  agita- 
tion and  grief  continued  to  increase  both  in  frequency  and  violence, 
till  it  was  pleasing  to  God  to  interfere,  mercifully ,  though  severely, 
by  a  stroke  of  his  hand  in  another  way,  which  acted  on  the  surges  of 
her  tempest-tossed  spirit,  as  the  command  of  Christ  on  the  winds 
and  seas,  and  all  her  agitaiions  sunk  down  into  a  perfect  calm. 

"On  Sunday,  the  16ih  of  last  month,  about  mid-day,  she  had  an 
apoplectic  turn,  which  laid  her  senseless  and  speechless  for  some 
time,  and  from  which  she  slowly  recovered  through  the  afternoon  - 
She  spent  the  night  following  pretty  much  as  usual,  in  a  very  rest- 
less and  distressed  condition.  Towards  day,  she  fell  asleep,  and 
awoke  up  the  next  morning  somewhat  composed,  and  continued  so 
initil  the  turn  of  the  day,  when  she  became  unusually  sleepy,  and 
was  put  to  bed  at  an  earlier  hour  on  account  of  it;  and  it  was  said 
by  those  who  sat  with  her,  that  she  never  moved  all  night.  On 
Tuesday  morning  I  inquired  of  her  if  she  was  easy  and  free  from 
pain  ;  and  she  said  'yes.'  I  asked,  do  you  want  any  thing,  and  she 
said  '  no.'  She  seemed  perfectly  composed ;  and  the  sisters  with 
her  were  of  opinion  that  she  was  entirely  at  herself,  and  if  she  could 
talk  she  would  manifest  it;  but  by  this  lime  she  could  speak  scarce- 
ly above  her  breath,  or  more  than  yes  or  no.  I  was  extremely 
anxious  to  know  how  she  felt,  in  view  of  her  future  slate,  and  ask- 
ing her  several  questions,  so  as  to  ascertain  that  she  understood  me; 
I  said  '  Nancy,  my  dear  wife,  how  do  you  feel,  are  you  satisfied  that 
it  will  go  well  with  you  for  eternity^'  and  she  said  '  wo.'  I  replied, 
why  !  do  you  not  love  the  Lord  ?  and  her  eyes  filling  with  tears,  she 
said  '  I  hope  I  do  J  I  repeated,  '  L  love  them  that  love  me,'  and 
left  her.  In  the  afternoon,  I  again  conversed  with  her,  and  found 
that  understanding  still  held  its  place  in  her  mind,  when  I  said, — 
'  Mow  do  you  now  feel,  in  reference  to  another  world,  do  you  think 
you  will  be  happy  there  .''  and  she  readily  replied  'yes.'  I  added, 
*  do  you  love  the  Lord  ?'  and  she  said,  '  I  am  sure  of  tkat.^  So  far 
as  I  know,  these  were  the  last  words  she  ever  spake,  except  yes,  or 
no,  to  some  trivial  questions  asked  her.  On  Wednesday  morning 
sl.e  assumed  the  appearance  of  one  in  sound  sleep.  Her  eyes  were 
f:ipt  closed,  and  her  bi-eathing  hard.  In  this  state  she  continued 
u.itil  Frid;iy  night,  when  a  change  took  place,  which  notified  us  that 


APPENDIX.  441 

her  departure  was  tiigh.  Her  dying  strife  was  so  gentle  as  not  to 
awake  her.  At  forty-rtve  minutes  after  ton  o'clock, her  spirit  was 
permitted  to  leave  its  tenement  of  clay  without  rending  it,  and  fly  to 
its  long-sought  rest. 

'  This  earth  is  affected  no  more, 

With  sickness,  or  shaken  with  pain  : 
The  war  in  the  members  is  o'er, 
And  never  shall  vex  her  again. 

*  No  anger  henceforward,  or  ehame. 
Shall  redden  this  innocent  clay; 
Extinct  is  the  animal  llame. 
And  pMsion  is  vanished  away.' 

"  The  end  of  the  righteous  is  pea^e.'^ 


D 

Mr.  Mercer's  Opinions  on  various  subjects  connected  with 
Church  Discipline^  ^-c. 

Mr  Mercer's  opinions  respecting  matters  pertaining  to  church 
#rder,  associationai  jurisdiction,  and  other  kindred  subjects,  were  so 
much  valued,  and  so  often  sought,  that  many  would  no  doubt  consi- 
der a  volume  claiming  to  be  any  thing  like  a  full  Biography  of  this 
emirient  man,  as  radically  defective,  that  did  not  contain  some  record 
of  these  opinions.  The  writer  has  therefore  thought  proper  to  pre- 
sent in  the  appendix,  some  of  his  views  upon  these  subjects  ;  believ- 
ing that  though  this  portion  of  the  work  may  not  he  as  interesting 
to  the  general  reader  as  other  parts,  yet  that  there  are  some  who  will 
consult  it  with  much  interest,  and  g'eat  advantage.  If  the  reader  is 
not  prepared  to  sanction  every  opinion  of  IMr.  Mercer's,  which  is 
here  presented,  he  cannot  fail  of  finding  much  that  will  commend 
itself  to  his  judgment  as  jtidicious,  solid,  and  useful. 

Discipline. 

(From  a  Circular  Letter  published  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Ga.  Association,  1806.) 

"  That  you  may  be  able  in  this  declining  day,  to  possess  your  ves- 
sels in  sanctification  and  honor  before  him,  who  has  called  you  into 
his  marvellous  light,  and  in  that  Hght  shine  before  others  to  his  praise; 
we  would  awaken  you  to,  and  exhort  you  to  be  promptly  active  in 
the  execution  of  discipline — discipline,  vvithout  which  there  can  be 
no  union,  order,  peace  or  fellowship  in  the  church  ;  no,  nor  church 
itself — discipline,  which,  in  its  right  vse,  is  the  church's  ecclesiai- 
licnl  life — bond  of  union  and  peace — spring  of  order  and  fellow- 
ship— and  great  source  of  liarmony  and  love. 

20 


442  APPENDIX. 

"  To  this  important  duty  and  privilege,  God  opens  the  ear.  Job 
36:  10.  And  commands  it  to  be  sealed  among  his  disciples.  Isa. 
8  :  16.  61  :  4  The  prophet  Malachi,  and  John  the  Baptist,  show 
that  Christ,  in  the  exercise  of  this  office,  would  both  purge  and 
scourge  the  wicked  from  among  the  righteous,  so  that  a  clear  dis- 
tinction should  be  made  and  perpetuated  between  the  godly  and 
ungodly,  the  chhflT  and  the  whear.  Mai.  3:  1.  to  the  6,  16,  17,  18, 
Math.  3  :  10  and  12.  And  Christ  discovered  both  the  authority 
and  indisponsjibility  of  tin?  duty,  when  he  marie  a  scourge  of  small 
cords  and  drove  the  wicked  out  of  his  father's  house  John  2:  15. 
Due  attention  to  this  rule  wjll  lead  to  prosperity,  peace  and  pleas- 
ure. Job  36:  11.  Isa.  43:  18.  Gal.  6:  16.  But  the  neglect  thereof 
is  invariably  chastised  with  declension  and  destrnciion.  Luke  19  :  42. 
Gal.  5  :  13,  to  the  17,  also  read  2d  and  3d  chapter  of  Revelation. 

"  Dear  brethren,  in  addressing  you  on  this  subject,  we  .shall  use 
plainness  of  speech,  and  in  a  simple  style,  place  before  you  a  few 
very  plain  truths.  Gospel  discipline  involves  two  very  important  du- 
ties equally  indispensable. 

"  The  first,  is  that  which  each  member  should  discharge  towards 
himself.  The  second,  is  that  which  relates  to  the  whole  body. 
These  mav  be  likewise  subdivided. 

*'  The  former  includes,  first,  That  restraint  which  a  christian, 
ichen  right  icith  God,  places  on  the  passions  and  propensities  of  the 
carnal  heart,  by  which  he  subdues  and  maintains  the  victory  ovt  r 
them:  and  secondly,  that  government  which  he  exercises  over  the 
members  of  his  body,  by  which  he  sanctifies  them  for,  and  employs 
them  in,  the  service  of  God. 

"  The  latter  embraces,  first,  that  line  of  duty  to  be  pursued  in  case 
o£  private  or  persotial  otfence ;  and  secondly,  that  to  be  adopted  in 
case  of  public  and  atrocioics  crimes.      To  which  ice  attend  in  order. 

"  And  first,  to  discipline  the  heart,  dHigence  is  enjoined,  Prov. 
4  :  23.  2  Pet.  1  :  5 — 10,  to  show  that  it  is  a  duty  to  be  performed 
only  by  promptness  and  perseverance.  It  includes  three  things: 
First,  the  detecting  and  crucifying  all  improper  passions,  or  desires, 
that  is,  all  which  on  examination,  (and  none  should  pass  without 
it,)  shall  be  found. contrary  to  the  holiness,  and  incapable  of  work- 
ing the  gloi-y  of  God.  Luke  9  :  5.5.  Gal.  5  :  24.  Heb.  3  :  12. 
Secondly,  the  guatiiing  and  restraining  those  affections,  which  in 
themselves  are  lawful,  b'Jt  are  capable  of  excess,  fur  virtnons.  be- 
come vicious  desires  in  the  extreme.  Eph.  4  :  26.  Col.  3  :  5. 
And  thirdly,  the  promoting  and  pursuing  all  gracious  emotions,  as 
leading  into  the  knowledge  and  service  of  God.  Psa.  19:14.  1  Cor. 
14  :  r.     Eph.  3  :  16—19.    4  :  22—24 

*'  Secondly:  Your  bodies  are  the  memliers  of  Christ,  and  temples 
for  the  Holy  Ghost.  1  Cor  6  :  15.  19.  Your  whole  deportrrent, 
therefore,  should  correspond  with  this  consideration  ;  and  all  the 
meinbers  of  the  body  be  presented  as  living  sacrifices  to  God,  aid 
solely  employed  in  his  service:  or,  as  a  modern  poet  teaches: 

'  A  cov'nant  with  your  eyes  be  made  ; 
Your  words  be  few,  or  fitly  said, 
And  season'd  well  with  grace ; 
Be  deaf,  or  oiilj-  hear  aright; 
\o\xr  footsteps  planted  in  the  light. 
To  riui  the  Christian  race. 


APPENDIX.  443 

Vour  hands  be  pure  and  rais'd  to  God  ; 

Your  taste  delighted  with  his  word  ; 

Be  every  member  his  ; 

Delight  to  smell  his  rich  perfume, 

\Vhici>  balms  the  air — will  death  o'ercome, 

And  adds  new  charms  to  bliss.' 

"To  be  able  to  clecide  correctly  on  tlie  affections  of  the  heart,  or 
the  right  rtse  of  the  members  of  the  body,  it  will  be  incumbent  to 
cultivate  an  acquaintance  with  the  laws  o^'  nature,  grace,  and  provi- 
dence ;  by  which  the  natural,  spiritual,  and  moral  fitness  of  things 
will  appear;  so  that  you  may  approve  the  things  which  are  excel- 
lent, and  be  without  offence  till  the  day  of  Chiist.  Phil.  1  :  9, 
10,  11. 

•*  The  second  part  of  discipline  teaches  the  rules  of  procedure  in 
cases  of  jmblic  or  private  offence  ;  which  should  be  pursued  with 
great  exactness,  without  partiality  or  hypocrisy. 

"  And  first,  iti  case  of  private  ojftiice.  Be  sure  to  follow  pre- 
cisely the  directions  of  Christ  given  in  Matt.  18  :  15,  16,  17.  Tak- 
ing especial  care  that  you  do  not  make  that  public  which  is,  and 
should  be  kept  f?rirrt/e,  or  that  you  do  not  make  yourselves  eni'ty, 
in  conversing  on  private  subjects  to  indifferent  pers'it'j,  ilii-rel)y  i/«.'- 
coming  the  sowers  of  discord,  or  idle,  mischitiuus  tale-bearers  so 
offensive  to  God  and  destructive  of  human  happiness.  Lev.  19  :  16. 
Tiov.  11  :  13.  18  :  8.  20  :  19.  25  :  9,  10.  26  :  21,22.  This  rule 
is  particularly  binding  on  the  offended,  commanding  him  to  imnu'- 
diate  conciliatory  measures:  but  let  not  the  offender  think  himself 
secure  in  idleness,  nor  carelessly  wait  for  his  grieved  brother  to  come 
and  deal  with  him  ;  but  let  him  attend  to  the  counterpart  of  this  rule 
in  Matt.  5  :  23  to  the  26,  which  shows  it  to  be  the  duty  equally  of 
the  offender  to  go  and  be  active  in  the  adjustment  of  all  differences. 
The  sooner  the  belter.     Jic%.  12  :  10,  11. 

"  But  secondly,  in  case  oj public  and  scandalous  sins.  Th*^  first 
step  to  be  taken  is  to  reprove,  admonish,  and  in  a  christitin  a/irit, 
endeavor  to  reclaim  the  apostate  brother  from  the  error  of  his  ways. 
Lev.  19  :  17.  Gal.  6:  1,2.  Kph.  5:11.  2  Thes.  3  :  15.  1  Tim. 
5  :  20.  Heb.  12  :  13,  14,  15.  James  5  :  10.  20.  This  duty  we 
fear  is  very  much  neglected  from  some  cause — the  want  of  zeal — or 
perhaps  fnmi  a  prevailing  notion  that  it  would  be  improper  to  heal 
a  public  offence,  by  a  private  conversalion:  bi't  however  improper 
this  might  be.  we  conceive  it  would  be  highly  proper  to  heal  a  pub- 
lic offender  by  any  means  the  gospel  directs.  The  design  however 
of  such  reproof,  &:.c.,  is  not  to  cure  the  offence,  but  him  who  gave  it; 
that  he  may  may  be  pre{)ared  to  remove  the  offence  in  that  way  the 
gospel  requires.  But  should  he  fail  to  be  reclaimed  by  this  mea- 
sure, and  not  come  to  the  church  to  meet,  and  in  the  best  manner  in 
his  power,  atone  for  his  disorders  ;  then  it  will  be  the  duty  of  who- 
ever is  concerned  in  the  case,  when  the  church  is  setting  in  her  offi- 
cial capacity,  to  bring  such  person  before  her  bar,  or  make  report  of 
the  case  to  lier,  whose  duty  it  will  be  to  call  for,  and  reckon  with 
him  according  to  Malt.  18  :  24  and  31.  'Qui  in  case  of  gross  enor- 
mity, under  which  the  cause  of  God  and  the  church  particularly  suf- 
fers, it  mav  be  expedient  to  proceed  more  promptly  according  to  the 
case  recorded  in  1  Cor.  5lh  chap.,  which  seems  to  have  been  donu 
without  sending  for,  or  attending  to  the  delinquent  in  any  way. 


444  APPENDIX. 

•'  The  great  object  of  discipline  i3  holiness  to  the  Lord.  With  a 
view  to  ecclesiastical  holiness,  it  commences  cautiously  in  the  re- 
ception of  members  :  and  ends  gloriously  in  consummating  thera  in 
the  beauties  oi practical  holiness.  In  receiving  persons  carelessly, 
or  at  the  instance  o^  passion,  you  may  corrupt  the  church,  dishonor 
God,  and  involve  yourselves  in  much  distress,  confusion,  and  sin. 
Be  careful,  therefore,  to  receive  none  but  those  to  whom  the  gospel 
gives  a  right;  Matt.  18  :  3.  5.  Acts  5  :  13,  14.  1  Cor.  6  :  17. 
That  the  church  may  be  visibly  what  it  is  really,  the  pillar  and 
GROUND  OF  THE  TRUTH,  and  be  presented  a  chaste  virgin  to  Christ. 
1  Tim.  3  :  15.  2  Cor.  11:2.  But  we  are  aware  that  discipline  may 
be  so  managed  as  to  defeat  its  own  design,  and  instead  of  unity  and 
peace,  produce  divisions  and  strife.  A  government  by  majority  nat- 
urally tending  in  important  matters,  to  make  parlies,  and  breed 
confusion,  should  be  studiously  avoided.  Rather  be  of  the  same 
mind  and  judgment;  espouse  the  cause  of  the  weak,  or  be  invaria- 
bly on  the  part  of  the  aggrieved,  whether  major  or  minor  ;  and  let 
UNANIMITY  be  the  bond  of  your  peace.  Psa.  133  :  1.  1  Cor.  1  : 
10,  11.  13.     Eph.  4:  2." 

Private  Labors  should  generally  precede  Church  action, 

(From  the  Circular  of  the  Georgia  Association  for  1816.) 

•'  It  has  been  a  custom  pretty  widely  practised,  to  bring  all  cases 
of  a  public  and  of!ensis'e  character,  whether  facts  or  reports,  Jirst 
before  the  church,  that  they  might  be  met  and  treated  in  a  manner 
correspondent  with  their  general  and  infectious  consequences.  This 
rule  we  think  ezceptiovable.  ^ 

*'  1st.  Because  it  is  defective  :  for  "  ile  it  provides  a  remedy  of 
the  public  effects,  it  proposes  no  means  for  the  removal  of  the  cause 
of  offence. 

"2d.  It  fosters  neglect:  'Tis  founded  on  the  suspension  of  per- 
sonal intercourse,  and  consequently  on  the  suspension  of  brotherly 
love  and  christian  care. — The  duty  commanded  by  Paul  and  Jamea 
to  '  convert  and  restore  such  an  one,'  is  totally  neglected  and  set 
aside  by  this  rule.  What  the  Apostles  make  to  be  the  proper  bur- 
den and  duty  of  an  individual,  is  hereby  thrown  on  the  church,  while 
the  members  content  themselves  individually,  to  be  of  the  number 
who  live  in  error. 

"Perhaps  it  may  be  asked,  shall  we  all  go?  Indeed,  brethren, 
that  might  be  the  better  state  of  the  case.  For  admit  '  suck  an  one' 
should  be  among  you  ;  and  you  all,  one  by  one,  should  make  him  a 
visit,  '  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,'  on  that  account,  in  the  course  of  a 
few  weeks,  would  not  his  hpart  be  broken  for  his  sin  ?  or  would  he 
not  be  left  without  excuse?  And  would  not  that  be  much  better 
than  to  pass  him  by,  or  treat  him  with  neglect?  Surely  you  will 
answer,  it  would  be  better. 

"3d.  l\.\i  uncharitable  :  it  is  so  distant — «o  cold — 50  unfriendly, 
that  it  is  more  likely  to  disgust  than  reclaim — to  harden  than  soften — 
to  exclude  than  restore.     But, 

"  4ih.  It  promotes  tale-bearing.  In  the  spirit  of  the  rule  con- 
ested,  yon  feel  at  liberty  to  speak  freely  of  such  cases  among  your 


APPENDIX.  445 

selves,  and  even  to  others  ;  by  which  you  become  '  laltlers,  whisper- 
ers,' and  the  sowers  of  discord,  rather  than  'peace-makers.^  We 
need  not  tell  you  that  in  modern,  as  well  as  in  ancient  limes,  there 
are  many  who  say,  '  report  and  we  will  report  it.' — That  manyya/«e 
and  viriilcnt  tales  are  often  circulated,  with  celerity,  to  ruin  the  char- 
acters, and  hinder  the  usefulness  of  the  best  among  men.  By  the 
rule  in  question,  you  may  become  the  abettors,  and  forward  the  de- 
signs of  the  most  cruel  and  inveterate  men. 


"  Exclusion  should  never  be  regarded  as  the  result  of  our  endea- 
vors. Every  idea  of  union — the  best  feelings  of  the  heart,  recoil  at 
the  shocking  thought.  'Tis  the  resort  of  despair — the  dreadful  al- 
ternative in  case  of  incorrigibleness,  like  the  amputation  of  a  mortal 
limb,  to  save  the  body  from  its  ruinous  consequences. 

"  There  are,  however,  a  few  cases  which  justify  and  require  a  re- 
sort to  this  severe  measure,  with  much  less  ceremony  than  others  : 
as  when  a  man  brought  before  the  church  for  some  notorious  crime, 
makes  great  pretensions  to  humility  and  godly  sorrow ;  and  being 
forgiven,  goes  out  and  in  similar  cases,  carries  himself  with  ingrati- 
tude and  hardness  of  heart  towards  his  brethren,  or  in  any  other 
way  proves  his  acknowledgments  before  the  church  to  have  been 
hypocritical,  he  may  be  presented  to  the  church  without  any  per- 
sonal regard  shown  him,  because  he  has  destroyed  all  confidence  in 
himself.  As  suggested  in  Matt.  18  ;  23,  to  the  end.  Also  when  a 
hypocrite  among  you  does  what  proves  him  so,  like  Simon  Blagus, 
*  in  the  gall  of  bitterness  and  bonds  of  iniquity,'  he  may  be  cut  off 
without  any  endeavors  to  reclaim  him,  because  there  is  nothing,  ^ro- 
perly,  to  which  he  can  be  reclaimed- 

"  Likewise,  when  a  man  foims  any  illicit  connexion,  or  commits 
offences  which  prolong  their  effects,  and  which  no  sudden  concessions 
can  remedy;  as  in  the  case  of  the  incestuous  man,  he  should  with- 
out waste  of  time  be  '  delivered  to  Satan  for  the  destruction  of  the 
flesh,'  and  that  his  reformation  and  the  proofs  of  it  might  be  made 
manifest." 

Are  nil  cases  of  discipline  to  he  managed  and  settled  by  Matt. 
18  ;  15—17  ? 

"  To  this  question  we  answer  no,  because  other  scriptures  require 
a  different  treatment.  It  is  evident  as  there  are  different  causes  ot 
offence,  so  there  must  be  a  variation  of  management  and  termina- 
tion. The  above  rule,  we  conceive,  provides  only  for  personal  and 
entirely  private  offences ;  or  cases  which  lie  alone  between  two 
brethren.  For  why  should  secrecy  be  enjoined  in  a  case,  which  is 
known  openly  ?  Here  private  intercourse  is  enjoined  in  the  first 
step,  and  only  to  be  made  public  as  the  case  might  require.  And 
we  are  of  opinion,  that  if  this  rule  was  strictly  regarded  in  all  such 
offences,  many  of  those  cases  would  be  nipped  in  the  bud,  or  healed 
in  the  first  intention,  which,  for  the  want  of  it,  break  the  peace,  and 
distract  our  churches  with  confusion  and  party  strife.  But  we  think 
il  would  be  maaifestly  for  the  dishonor  of  Christ  and  contejjipt  of 


446  APPENDIX. 

religion,  to  attempt  to  settle  cases  of  public  and  scandalous  offences 
by  this  rule.  However,  we  are  fully  persuaded  that  all  cases,  as  a 
general  rule,  should  commence  in  personal  labors.  The  follow- 
ing texts  lay  this  down  clearly.  Gal.  6:1,  requires,  that,  if  a  bro- 
ther '  be  overtaken  in  a  fault,'  (i.  e.  caught,)  the  other  members 
should  restore  him.  And  by  what  follows  it  is  plain  that  it  must 
be  done  in  a  tender,  careful,  sympathizing  manner,  which  cannot  be 
done  without  personal  endeavor. 

"  This  is  also  inculcated  in  the  allusions  made  by  Paul  to  the  mutual 
sympathy  and  care  which  God  has  given  to  the  members  of  a  nat- 
ural body.  1  Cor.  12  :  25,  26  which  cannot  be  fulfilled,  but  by  the 
most  careful  and  prompt  attempt  to  remedy  the  cause  of  suffering, 
according  to  the  laws  of  brotherly  kindness.  To  this  endeavor  to 
restore  an  offending  brother,  the  Apostle  James  encourages  in  his 
Epistle,  5  :  19,  20.  Here  the  work  of  converting  an  erring  brother 
must  require  personal  labor.  But  though  every  case  must  be  begun 
in  personal  intercourse ;  yet  it  is  not  to  end  there.  Should  the 
labors  of  brethren  succeed  in  restoring  the  offending  brother,  he  will 
as  a  matter  of  course,  seek  to  redress  the  evil  consequences  of  his 
sinful  course,  which  will  require  him  to  come  before  the  church  to 
answer  publicly  to  the  charges  against  him,  so  that  the  scandal 
may  be  removed  from  the  church  and  cause  of  Christ.  Should  the 
well  timed,  and  well  meant  endeavors  of  the  brethren  fail,  the  delin- 
quent must  be  hailed  before  the  church  to  answer  for  his  offences. 
This  is  clearly  indicated  in  IMath.  18  :  32.  In  1  Tim.  5  :  20.  The 
Apostle  directs  that,  they  that  sin  (openly  doubtlessly,  as  private 
sin  is  otherwise  disposed  of)  are  to  be  rebuked  before  all,  that  others 
may  fear." 

'•  There  are  a  few  cases  which  may  be  pleaded  as  an  exception  to 
this  rule.  They  are  cases  of  such  enormity  as  makes  'a  speedy  ex- 
ecution of  discipline  necessary  to  sustain  the  honor  of  the  cause  and 
the  church,  by  making  the  offender  an  example  of  summary  punish- 
ment. The  instructions  to  the  church  at  Corinth  in  regard  to  the 
incestuous  man  are  in  point  But  we  think  the  cases  are  few  and 
very  peculiar,  which  would  justify  a  personal  neglect  of  the  offend- 
ing brother,  to  restore  him  to  his  forfeited  standing  and  lost  com- 
forts." 

May  a  church  receive  testimony  from  men  of  the  world  ? 

"  It  should  be  kept  constantly  in  mind,  that  the  Church  of  Christ 
is  a  body  of  light,  whose  office  is  to  shine  to  those  who  are  rcilhout. 
The  Apostle  tells  us  that  whatsoever  maketh  manifest  is  light. 
But  how  can  the  church  shine  unto  them,  if  she  shut  herself  up  from 
them,  and  refuse  their  testimony  without  reason  ?  Would  such  a 
course  be  walking  towards  them  either  honestly  or  in  wisdom  ?  The 
object  for  which  testimony  is  received  at  all,  is  to  ascertain  the  truth  ; 
but  if  a  church  refuse  all  testimony  from  without,  she  will  in  many 
cases  refuse  valid  evidence,  and  so  obscure  the  truth,  and  injure  the 
cause  of  union  and  fellowship  in  herself.  We  will  state  a  case.  Sup- 
pose a  member  is  accused  of  drunkenness  and  blasphemy,  under  cir- 
cumstances which,  if  true,  would  break  fellowship  with  all  the  other 


APPENDIX.  447 

members,  but  the  witnesses  are  two  of  the  most  respectable  non- 
prol'ossors  in  tho  neighborhood,  whose  veracity  has  not  been  ques- 
tioned by  any — but  because  they  are  not  mrmliers  they  are  refused. 
Now.  does  this  refusal  do  away  the  effect  of  their  testimony  from  the 
minds  of  the  church?  Not  at  all.  Then  tlie  fellowship  of  every 
member  in  the  church  is  lost  witli  this  man,  but  he  cannot  be  exclu- 
ded, because  there  is  no  admissible  evidence  against  him.  This 
would  he  an  intolerable  case.  Tiie  better  way  is  to  hear  all,  and 
hold  fust  to  that  which  appears  just  and  good.  The  church  is  by 
no  means  bound  to  believe  all  the  testimony  which  may  be  brought 
in,  but  should  act  wisely  in  weit;liing  the  evidence,  in  ascertaining 
the  truth  of  the  case  on  trial,  and  coming  to  a  righteous  deci;.ion." 

Have  females  a  right  to  vote  in  the  church  in  matters  of  disci- 


pline 


7 


"  To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony  then  let  us  go.  In  1  Cor.  14  : 
34,35,  Paul  lays  down  the  following  orrler :  '  Let  your  women  keep 
silence  in  the  churches;  for  it  is  not  pprmitted  unto  fhem  to  speak; 
but  to  be  under  obedience;  as  also  saith  the  law  — And  if  they  will 
learn  any  thing,  let  them  ask  their  husbands  at  home  :  for  it  is  a 
shame  for  women  to  speak  in  the  church.'  And  again  he  saith,  1 
Tim.  2  :  11 — 14:  *  Let  the  woman  learn  in  silence  with  all  subjec- 
tion. But  I  suffer  not  a  woman  to  teach,  or  Tisurp  authority  over  the 
man,  but  to  be  in  silence.  For  Adatn  was  the  first  formed,  then 
Eve.  And  Adam  wa>i  not  deceived  ;  but  the  woman,  being  deceived, 
was  in  the  transgression.' 

"  From  these  verses,  it  is  generally  agreed  that  women  are  de- 
barred any  participation  in  the  public  ministry,  and  this  is  the  uni- 
form practice  (wiih  one  solitary  exception)  of  all  the  denominations. 
But  arc  they  not  as  fairly  debarred  participation  in  any  exercise  of 
authority,  or  government,  which  would  even  put  them  on  a  par  with 
male  members  ?  There  is  a  sense  in  which  women  are  not  permit- 
ted to  speak  in  the  churches;  and  yet  there  is  a  sense  in  which  they 
may  speak.  Now  in  what  may  they  not  speak  ?  In  teaching  and 
governing.  For  these  obvious  reasons  :  1.  The  law  requires  it. 
2.  Adam  was  first  formed,  then  Eve.  This  gives  the  man  the  rule 
and  government.  3.  The  woman,  being  deceived,  was  in  the  trans- 
gression ;  indicating  her  weakness,  and  affording  a  reason  ever  after- 
wards for  her  being  under  obedience  with  all  subjection.  But  in 
what  may  they  speak?  In  praying  and  prophesying,  see  1  Cor. 
11:5.  Acts  21  :  9.  But  this  prophesying,  when  used  by  women, 
must  not  be  teaching,  but  only  for  edijyivg.  For  it  is  not  pkr- 
MiTTtD  to  a  woman  to  teach.  Now,  then,  if  women  are  not  per- 
mitted to  teach  and  exercise  authority  in  the  churches,  how  can  they 
vote  in  matters  of  discipline  which  is  government?  We  are  (and 
have  been  long)  of  opinion,  that  women  are  in  the  verses  above, 
debarred  the  right  of  voting  in  the  churches  in  all  matters  of  govern- 
ment, because  they  cannot  use  this  right  without  being  on  a  par  with 
men,  and  in  many  instances  taking  the  ascendancy,  which  is  at  pal- 
pable variance  with  the  obedience  and  subjection  which  is  required 
of  them. 


448  APPENDIX. 

"  We  suspect  it  is  ibe  general  practice  in  the  cliurches  of  our  or- 
der, to  allow  women  this  use.  But  whenever  a  case  of  this  kind 
has  come  under  our  observation,  we  have  noticed  an  obvious  reluc- 
tance in  adopting  it.  And  within  the  sphere  of  our  administration 
they  have  modestly  declined  it.  We  have  never  had  any  difficulty 
on  this  subject  with  us,  and  we  hope  for  the  sake  of  the  female  chris- 
tian character,  women  in  no  churches  will  ever  make  a  difficulty  of 
it;  and  if  men  should  attempt  it,  in  view  of  honoring  them,  they  will 
have  grace  enough  to  rise  up  with  one  consent,  and  pour  ih  •  waters 
of^pious,  modest,  and  humble  contempt  upon  it  and  quench  it  at 
once." 

Is  it  gospel  or  duty  for  one  church  to  receive  persons  excluded 
from  another  church  simply  on  account  of  their  heina  friend- 
ly to  benevolent  institutions  ? 

"  On  the  above  query  we  have  endeavored  to  reflect  with  cool  de- 
liberation, and  the  result  of  our  thoughts  leads  us  to  answer  it  in  the 
negative.  Exclusion  from  a  regularly  constituted  church,  is  in  itself 
right.  It  is  the  execution  of  a  sentence  on  the  authority  of  Christ, 
by  the  only  authorized  body,  and  ought  to  be  respected  by  all  orderly 
churches.  But  as  in  all  human  affairs  there  is  a  liability  to  err, 
even  churches  may  become  disorderly,  and  abuse  their  power,  which 
was  given  for  edification,  by  using  it  for  purposes  of  destruction. 
The  power  to  exclude  may  be  used  improperly  in  two  ways;  first  it 
may  be  executed  on  proper  subjects  without  a  proper  cause;  and 
secondly,  it  may  be  exercised  on  those  over  whom  there  was  no  ju- 
risdiction. In  either  case  the  act  is  disorderly.  In  the  case  befoie 
us,  it  should  seriously  be  inquired  whether  exclusion  for  the  causes 
above  stated,  is  legitimately  gospel  order?  If  it  shall  be  judged, 
(and  we  think  it  must  be)  that  exclusion  cannot  rightly  lie  against 
any  member,  otherwise  orderly,  for  uniting  with  such  societies,  or 
being  friendly  towards  them,  then  it  must  be  disorderly  to  exclude 
persons  for  such  causes.  The  case,  then,  upon  this  hypothesis, 
presents  an  act  of  violence  and  disorder  in  its  origin;  and  as  one 
act  of  disorder  may  excuse,  if  not  justify  another,  we  are  led  to  the 
conclusion  in  this,  and  such  like  cases,  it  would  be  to  choose  the 
least  of  two  evils,  to  receive  such  persons,  not  as  an  orderly,  but  as 
a  necessai'y  act  of  indemnity  against  oppression." 

What  is  the  minority  of  a  church  to  do  ivhen  the  inajority  {&r  a 
part  of  them)  become  notoriously  immoral  ? 

"  In  reply  to  this  question,  we  are  constrained  to  say  that  such  a 
state  of  things  in  a  church,  once  regular,  is  the  sheer  neglect  of  a 
godly  discipline.  For  if,  when  the  church  was  in  order,  the  mem- 
bers all  sympathizing  with  each  other,  the  first  buddings  of  immoral- 
ity in  the  enormities  stated,  had  been  plucked  off  by  the  gospel  rule, 
such  a  state  of  misrule  should  never  have  existed.  So  that  the  pious 
minority  must  be  deeply  involved  in  the  guilty  causes  of  such  a  case. 
Now,  therefore,  they,  repenting  of  their  past  negligence,  should  ad- 
dress themselves  patiently  to  the  work  of  reformation.     In  thia,  they 


APPENDIX.  449 

should  be  encouraged,  by  ihc  promise  made  to  any  member  in  the 
Laodicean  church  (when  in  a  similar  state  of  decline)  to  enduring, 
per-^evering  cflbrts.  If  these  efforts  sufficiently  tried,  fail,  let  the 
neighboring  churches  in  good  order,  be  called  on  to  labor,  to  secure 
the  desired  end  :  but  if,  after  nil,  the  majority  remain  incorrigible, 
and  refuse  to  be  corrected,  then  let  the  minority  come  out  and  be 
separate  from  them,  as  not  being  worthy  to  be  acknowledged  a 
church  of  Christ;  but  rather  as  a  synagftgue  of  Satan." 

Is  it  right  to  exclude  an  offending  brother  from  the  Church  hy 
a  Committee,  and  for  the  accusers  and  witnesses  to  comj)ose 
a  part  of  that  Committee  1 

"We  give  it  as  our  opinion,  that  many  cases  of  difficulty  which 
come  up  in  churches,  may  be  as  well,  if  not  heller,  adjusted  bv  a 
committee  of  judicious  brethren,  than  by  the  church  assembled;  but 
a  committee  should  never  be  allowed_^7ia^  action  in  any  case  of  dis- 
cipline. Committees  should  always  report  their  actings  and  doings 
to  the  church  for  her  confirmation  or  rpjection.  And  we  should 
think  common  prudence  would  select  others  on  the  committee  than 
those  concerned  in  the  case  to  be  examined.  We  are  surprised  that 
any  body  of  brethren,  worthy  to  be  called  a  church,  should  place  in 
a  committee  the  accusers  and  witnesses  in  the  case  to  be  investi- 
gated ;  and  especially  when  that  committee  was  vested  with  power 
to  excorrununicate  the  supposed  offender." 

Ought  brethren  to  go  to  law  wiOi  each  other  ?     1  Cor.  6  : 1 — 8. 

"  It  is  evident  the  apostle's  object  in  these  verses,  was  to  admon- 
ish his  brethren  against  going  to  law  one  with  another,  and  to  advise 
them  to  adjust  all  their  civil  disputes  amongst  themselves  by  Refer- 
ence ;  and  we  are  by  no  means  disposed  to  encourage  brethren  to  go 
to  law;  but  rather  settle  their  differences  among  themselves  by  ref- 
erence. But  at  the  sapie  time  it  ought  to  be  recollected,  that  the 
time  and  change  in  civil  affairs,  which  seem  to  have  been  anticipated 
by  the  apostle,  have  long  since  taken  place.  Our  laws  and  courts 
are  founded  on  Bible  principles.  They  too  are  enacted  and  created 
by  us  as  a  republican  people.  Why,  then,  should  we  complain  of  ill 
usage  in  being  brought  before  the  bar  of  our  own  country,  to  be  tried 
by  the  laws  of  our  own  enactment  ?  Although,  as  we  said,  we  would 
by  no  means  encourage  brother  to  go  to  law  with  brother,  yet  we 
cannot  see  any  thing  in  this  passage  which  forbids  it,  under  present 
circumstances.  At  least,  we  think,  before  the  churches  could  with 
any  propriety,  withhold  their  members  from  seeking  their  rights  at 
the  tribunals  of  their  country,  they  ought  to  establish  an  adequate 
system  of  administering  justice  in  civil  and  pecuniary  affairs  within 
their  own  bodies." 

IVhat  is  valid  baptism  1 

"  On  the  general  principle,  we  say,  as  the  best  conviction  of  our 
own  mind  fronn  the  scriptures,  that  the  only  qualification  in  the  sub- 


450  '  APPENDIX. 

ject  of  baptism,  required  in  the  Bible,  is  a  credible  profession  of  re- 
pentance towards  God,  and  faith  towards  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
And  as  to  the  administrator,  the  New  Testament  lays  down  directly 
nothing  about  it ;  but  it  is  fairly  to  be  inferred,  that  he  should  be  a 
man  ordained  to  minister  in  holy  things  ;  of  orderly  walk  and  gospel 
failh.  But  the  question  will  be  asked,  what  shall  his  faith  be  ?  We 
reply;  from  analogy,  it  would  seem  his  faiih  should  be  in  perfect 
harmony  with  that  of  the  subject's,  lie  must  believe  in  repentance 
and  faith,  as  required  by  scripture,  in  oider  to  baptism  ;  and  baptize 
the  subject,  in  faiih,  into  Jesus  Christ  according  to  the  faith  of  the 
gospel. 

"  What  other  degiees  of  faith  may  be  requisite  to  a  sound  theolo- 
gical faith,  we  pretend  not  now  to  say  ;  but  to  a  gospel,  valid  bap- 
tism, we  cannot  see  any  thing  else  necessary,  as  to  faith,  but  an  ac- 
cordance of  belief  in  administrator  and  subject,  and  that  that  be  what 
the  gospel  requires. 

"  And  in  regard  to  C.  W.  or  any  other  minister,  who  may  have 
adopted  some  articles  of  failh  (say  Unitarian,)  which  dissolves  his 
denominational  connexion  with  the  regular  Baptists,  but  yet  retains 
his  orderly  christian  character  and  his  belief  in  the  gospel  require- 
ments in  order  to  baptism,  and  baptizps  into  the  faith  of  Christ,  ac- 
cording to  the  scripture,  we  cannot  see  why  his  baptisms  should  not 
be  admitted  as  valid  ;  because  his  Ikith  and  practice  are  acknow- 
ledged to  be  good,  and  he  is  uncondemnod  so  far  as  baptism  is  con- 
cerned. And  we  do  not  see  how  unsoundness  in  articles  of  faith, 
which  have  no  regard  to  the  administration  of  ordinances,  can  affect 
the  validity  of  their  administration." 

Is  it  consistent,  expedient,  or  ])'>'oper,  to  baptize  persons  when 
they  avow  it  as  their  intention  to  join  some  other  denomina- 
tion 1 

"  Our  opinion  upon  this  subject  is  that  Baptist  ministers  should 
forbear.  The  inconsistency  of  these  persons,  of  itselt,  is  sufficient  to 
warrant  such  a  course.  They  would  be  regularly  baptized  upon  a 
profession  of  their  faith,  and  yet  retain  a  connexion  with  those  who, 
it  would  seem  from  their  conduct,  they  think  are  not  baptized  ! 
What  does  it  signify  lo  hold  right  views  ourselves,  and  to  practise 
accordingly,  and  at  the  same  time  connive  at  error  in  others  by  being 
connected  with  them  in  a  church  capacity?  We  are  decidedly  of 
the  opinion,  that  to  baptize,  under  such  circumstances,  is  not  '  con- 
sistent, expedient,  or  proper.' 

"  It  is  certainly  desirable  to  commune  with  those  we  think  are 
christians ;  but  to  do  this,  we  must  not  compromit  truth,  or  encou- 
rage others  to  hold  it  in  unrighteo'isness." 

The  use  of  the  Violin* 

(From  a  Letter  to  a  Friend.) 

"  You  may  ask  me,  if  there  is  any  evil  in  a  fiddle  or  its  use?  I 
answer,  perhaps  no  more  than  there  is  in  an  idol,  or  in  meats  offered 


APPENDIX.  '  451 

in  sacrifii'O  to  an  idol.  Yet  it  is  evil  for  nny  man  to  eat  or  play 
with  ofli'nco.  Thouo;h  you  may  have  the  knowledge  that  these 
things  are  simple  and  innocent,  yet  all  good  christians  have  not,  and 
will  be  grieved  with  your  meat,  or  playing  the  fiddle.  If,  then,  you 
persist,  you  walk  uncharitahly  towards  your  weak  brethren,  and  will 
be  condemned  by  the  apostle,  Rom.  14  chap.,  latter  part,  and  1  Cor. 
8  :  9 — 13.  I  trust  you  will  digest  this  matter  according  to  this  rule, 
and  act  accordingly,  as  one  who  must  give  account. 

"  But  it  is  not  certain  that  the  use  of  the  fiddle  is  innocent,  be- 
cause things  are  always  estimated  according  to  their  accustomed 
use.  The  fiildle  has,  within  my  knowledge,  been  mostly  used  in 
parlies  of  pleasure,  or  in  dancing  assemblies,  sumptuous  feasts,  and 
balls,  &c.,  and  not  in  the  worship  of  God;  so  that  its  use  will  be 
associated  with  these  in  the  mind,  and  therefore  tend  to  strengthen 
them.  But  if  the  viol  of  scripture  is  the  violin  or  fiddle  of  our  day, 
it  is  never  mentioned  but  in  connexion  with  such  things  as  are  an 
abomination  to  God  ! 

"  There  is  wo  pronounced  against  those  that  invented  to  them- 
selves instruments  of  music  like  David — perhaps  the  fiddle  is  one  ! 
I  know  of  no  instrumental  worship  approved  in  the  New  Testament 
in  the  chuich  of  Christ,  and  am  of  opinion  it  is  too  doubtful  to  be 
patronized.  '  He  that  doubtelh  is  damned  if  he  eat,'  &c.  I  trust 
you  will  strive  to  do  good  and  not  evil  in  all  you  do — study  the 
apostle's  advice,  that  whether  you  eat  or  drink,  or  whatsoever  you 
do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God." 

Divorce. 

Mr.  Mercer  (contrary  to  the  opinion,  of  many  divines,)  con- 
tended that  under  the  gospel  dispensation  no  act  whatever  disannuls 
the  marriage  contract,  so  as  to  allow  a  remarriage  of  either  of  the 
parties.  JNIatt.  5  :  32,  and  other  parallel  passages  he  considered  as 
simply  an  exposition  of  the  Jewish  law  as  it  was  originally  given  by 
Moses,  but  which  had  become  sadly  perverted  by  human  traditions. 
The  exception  there  made  in  case  of  adultery,  he  did  not  conceive 
to  be  incorporated  with  the  gospel  law  of  marriage. 

Usury. 

This  he  considered  a  "vexed  question,"  admitting  much  to  be 
said  on  both  sides ;  but  as  for  himself  he  stated  that  he  had  never 
gained  his  consent  to  receive  more  than  lawful  interest  for  money 
loaned,  and  he  advised  all  his  brethren  to  pursue  the  same  course. 
It  is  to  bo  regretted  that  on  this  subject  Mr.  Mercer  did  not  take 
a  more  decided  stand.  The  loaning  of  mone^.t  an  exorbitant  in- 
terest, has  been  a  most  serious  evil  to  the  country,  and  it  would  seem 
that  the  christian,  who  by  his  prol'ession  acknowledges  his  subjec- 
tion to  "  the  powers  that  be,"  ought  not  to  feel  at  liberty  to  violate 
the  law  of  the  state.  If  the  laws  regulating  this  matter  are  unwise, 
let  them  be  modified,  or  repealed;  but  whilst  they  remain  as  they 
are,  let  them  be  honored. 


452  APPENDIX. 


Feet  Washing. 

"  In  regard  to  washing  the  saints'  feet,^^  says  Mr.  Sherwood, 
*  his  opinion  was  that  it  should  be  attended  whensoever  brethren 
desired  to  exhibit  a  token  of  friendship  for  one  another.  This  cere- 
mony was  attended  to  once  in  the  meeting-house  at  Eatonton  on  Sab- 
bath evening,  while  he  was  pastor.  It  was  with  great  hesitancy  that 
I  yielded  to  his  request  to  wash  mine.  A  few  years  after,  when  it 
was  attempted  to  prove  it  to  be  an  ordinance,  and.to  be  observed  in 
connexion  with  the  Lord's  Supper,  he  ceased  t)je  use  entirely.  He 
did  not  regard  it  as  an  ordinance,  nor  to  be  attended  to  with  the 
Eucharist.  He  did  not,  so  far  as  I  could  learn,  engage  in  it  for 
some  fifteen  years  prior  to  his  death.  He  looked  upon  it  as  a  social 
duty  among  brethren." 

Chastisement  of  Christian  Servants. 

It  was  his  opinion  that  servants  in  the  church  ought  to  be  dealt 
with  and  excluded  before  >hey  were  chastised  by  their  masters. 

Prerequisites  to  Ordination. 

"  1.  He  (a  proper  candidate  for  ordination,)  must  be  regenerate 
and  born  of  God. 

"  2.  He  must  be  of  good  report,  both  in  and  out  of  the  church. 

"  3.  He  must  be  called  of  God  to  the  work  :  and, 

"  4.  He  must  have  gifts  suitable  to  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of 
the  office." 

Meaning  of  Ordination. 

"  The  meaning  of  ordination  is,  that  the  individual  ordained  is 
approved  as  a  minister  of  God,  and  sent  forth,  endued  with  power 
from  on  high,  to  preach  the  gospel  and  administer  its  ordinances, 
wherever  he  may  be  called  in  the  providence  of  God." 

The  Manner  of  Ordination. 

"  The  manner  of  ordination  will  be  found  in  those  rites  and  cere- 
monies used  by  the  apostles  in  setting  men  apart  to  the  gospel  min- 
istry— and  these  appear  to  be 

**  1.  Designation.  To  ascertain  whom  God  has  called  and  fitted 
for  the  work  is  an  important  part  in  *  the  manner  of  ordination.' 
This  lies  at  the  foundation.  It  is  the  preservative  of  a  sound  and 
spiritual  ministry.  *  *  * 

"  But  it  may  be  asked  whose'duty  is  it?  It  is  answered  even  na- 
ture teaches  us  that  the  church  has  the  first  concern  in  this  import- 
ant duty.  She  is  the  mother.  It  must  be  hers  to  rear  her  sons  in 
the  service  of  God,  according  to  their  several  ability.  *  *  *  But 
the  work  of  designation  stops  not  here.     Ministers,  especially  pa$- 


APPENDIX.  453 

tors,  bnve  a  very  rosponsible  part  in  fhis  business  ;  ihey  are  the 
watchmen  on  the  walls,  have  the  caie  of  the  churches  and  the  min- 
istry both  in  their  hands.      Responsiljle  oflice  ! 

"2.  Examination.  *  *  *  If  a  man  must  desire  the  office,  be 
apt  to  tench  and  blameless,  these  things  must  be  inquired  into.  But 
by  whom  shall  the  examination  be  conducted?  By  the  church? 
By  no  means;  (the  church  is  the  only  proper  judge  of  character;) 
but  by  the  Presbytery,  or  session  of  Elders.  *  *  *  And  if  all  (both 
church  and  presbytery)  are  nnariimousli/  and  comfortably  agreed, 
(for  there  must  be  no  schism  in  this  case)  that  the  iking  is  of  the 
Lord,  then  let  the  presbytery  proceed; 

"  3.  By  prayer  and  fasting  (the  church  uniting  in  these)  with  the 
laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  presbytery,  (or  of  one  on  the  part  of 
the  rest)  to  set  him  apart  to  the  great  work  of  the  ministry. 

*  *  *  «  * 

"  From  the  scriptural  account  we  have  of  this  rite  in  ordination  to 
church,  or  ministerial  offices,  (for  it  is  used  in  both,)  and  from  the 
fitness  of  its  meaning  to  convey  the  sense  of  the  presbytery  in  ap- 
proving and  receiving  a  fellow-brother  into  the  ministry;  and  from 
its  being  the  only  outward  sign  used  in  ordinations,  recorded  in  the 
practice  of  the  apostles,  we  are  decidedly  of  opinion  it  should  never 
be  wanting  in  the  manner  of  ordination  among  us." 

Ministerial  aid  in  ordination  necessary  to  ministerial  felloW' 

ship. 

In  reply  to  one  differing  from  him  in  opinion,  Mr.  Mercer  remarks 
as  follows: 

"  It  may  be  proper  to  say  a  little  on  the  necessity  of  miyiisterial 
aid  in  ministerial  investiture,  in  order  to  ministerial  fellowship. 
This  you  rightly  define  to  be  '  the  union  and  recognition  of  brethren, 
who  have,  in  accordance  with  divine  direction,  been  regularly  in- 
ducted into  the  ministerial  office.'  This  is  very  just.  And  when 
evidence  of  this  is  '  satisfactorily  obtained,'  union,  recognition,  and 
cordial  acceptance  will  be  secured.  But  can  mere  church  compe- 
tency effect  this  object  ?  Ministers  of  different  countries  can  have 
fellowship,  readily  and  cordially,  only  as  they  have  confidence  in  the 
competency  and  authority  of  the  body  who  invested  them  with  the 
ministerial  office.  But  is  the  scheme  of  mere  church  appointment 
to  that  office  capable  of  such  confidence  ?  The  ministry  is  to  minis- 
ters, what  the  church  is  to  common  brethren;  and  a  man  might  as 
soon  be  introduced  to  the  fellowship  of  the  church,  without  being  re- 
ceived by  the  members  of  the  church,  or  some  other  in  whom  they 
had  full  confidence,  as  any  one  can  be  brought  into  the  fellowship  of 
the  ministry  without  being  received  by  the  members  of  the  ministry. 
The  capacity  of  a  church  to  inspire  and  sustain  the  necessary  confi- 
dence to  secure  ministerial  fellowship,  will  more  fully  appear  by  con- 
sidering what  a  church  may  be.  It  is  not  fixed,  I  believe,  what 
number  of  members  may  constitute  a  church.  But  very  few,  two  or 
throe,  a  single  family,  a  bare  sufliciency  to  carry  on  discij>line  ;  let 
us  fix  at  seven.  How  can  this  church  afford  confidence  in  xho  fitness 
of  her  appointments  to  the  end  of  the  woiUK  It  cannot  reasonably 
lie!      But  your  scheme  is  lees  tenable,  when  it  is  recollected,  that  it 


454  APPINDIX. 

renders  the  ministerial  office  elective.  Then  in  that  case,  not  seven, 
but  foar  against  three  (and  these  three  may  be  the  strength  of  the 
church,)  appoints  one  of  themselves  to  the  office  of  gospel  minister. 
Is  it  possible  that  such  an  appointment  can  give  to  any  one  an  au- 
thoritative claim  on  all  churches  and  ministers,  to  their  cordial  ac- 
ceptance and  brotherly  companionship  ?  *  *  »  Besides  the  door 
it  would  throw  wide  open  to  aile  speculation  and  base  electioneering 
in  reference  to  the  gospel  ministry.  '  Men  of  corrupt  minds — of 
cunning  craftiness,  who  lie  in  wait  to  deceive,'  and  all  high-minded, 
self-complacent,  and  designing  men  would  find  it  easy  to  operate  on 
these  small  and  weak  churches,  an  influence  favorable  to  their  base 
designs.  Once  establish  it  as  the  accredited  rule,  '  that  the  church 
has  the  only  and  the  sole  authority'  to  induct  into  the  ministerial 
office,  and  that  it  is  elective,  and  that  instant  you  have  opened  the 
floodgates  to  error,  and  exposed  the  church  to  divisions,  feuds,  strife 
and  destruction ! 

The  duty  of  the  Churches  in  relation  to  the  gifts  of  their  mem- 
bers. 

^(Froin  a  Report  prepared  for  the  Ga.  Association.) 

"  First.  Let  it  be  held,  in  all  the  churches,  as  the  sacred  and 
UTirestrained  right  of  any  male  member,  of  orderly  deportment,  to 
exercise  himself  in  the  vse  of  any  gift  he  may  think  given  him  of  the 
Lord,  in  exhortation  or  doctrine,  for  the  edification  and  comfort  of 
his  hearers. 

"  Secondly.  Let  it  be  regarded  as  the  bounden  duty  of  the 
churches,  to  have  a  godly  care  over  such  members,  and  to  judge 
prudently  and  faithfully  of  the  uselulness  of  their  exercises.  And 
after  a  fair  trial,  if  any  should  appear  unpr-ofitable,  to  foibear  them 
in  love  ;  if  any  mischievous,  to  stop  them;  and  if  any  should  be  found 
nseful  in  any  degree,  encourage  them,  and  v.hen  their  profiting  is 
manifest  at  home,  commend  them  to  the  neighboring  churches  and 
ministers. 

"  Thirdly.  Let  the  ministers  in  the  churches,  especially  the  pas- 
tors, be  careful  to  notice  and  encourage  such  licentiates  in  the  exer- 
cise of  their  gifts,  and  in  connexion  with  the  churches,  endeavor  to 
prepare  and  ripen  them  for  ordination,  so  that  their  profiling  may 
appear  to  all,  and  that  they  are,  in  the  office  of  gospel  ministers, 
workmen  not  to  be  ashamed.^^ 

"  Resemblances  and  Differences  between  church  auOiority^  and 
that  of  an  Association.^^ 

"I.  Resemblatjces. — 1.  Church  authority  is  cotnpetent,  in  a 
judgment  of  charity,  to  receive  or  refuse  any,  who  apply  for  mem- 
bership, according  to  the  requirements  of  the  gospel — so  the  Associ- 
ation has  the  right  to  judge  of  the  soundness  of  any  church,  applying 
for  reception,  and  to  receive  or  refuse  her  accordingly,  in  conformity 
with  the  bonds  of  Associaiional  union. 

"  2.  The  church  by  her  authority  is  bound  in  duty  to  watch  over 
and  preserve  her  ir.embers  in  purity  of  faith  and  practice  according 
to  godliness — so  the  "Association  has  power  to  keep  a  jealous  guard 


APPENDIX.  455 

over  the  churches  in  union,  to  preserve  them  in  unity  and  peace, 
according  to  the  covennnted  rules  of  agreement. 

"  3.  Church   authority  is  restricted   to   the  members  of  her  o\ 
body — so  the  Association  has  power  over  no  church,  beyond  those 
of  her  own  connexion. 

"  4.  Church  authority  can  do  nothing  but  what  is  in  accordance 
with  the  plain  dictates  of  God's  word — so  an  Association  is  bound 
to  exercise  her  power  by  the  principles  of  scicred  morality,  in  viola- 
tion of  no  scripture  requirement.      But — 

"  II.  DiFFEUKNCLS. — 1.  Church  authority  is  from  Christ,  as 
Head  and'King  alone;  but  that  of  an  Association  is  from  the  churches 
only. 

"  i?.  Church  authority  extends  to  every  member  individuaUy ; 
but  that  of  an  Association  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  government  of 
individuals,  as  such,  but  regards  churches  alone,  according  to  the 
articles  of  union. 

*' 3.  Church  authority  is  competent  to  the  examination  of  refrac- 
tory members — to  deliver  them  to  Satan — to  render  them  as  heathen 
men  or  publicans;  but  an  Association  has  no  excommunicatory  au- 
thority— no,  not  of  a  church  I  This  belongs  to  Christ,  as  Head  eX' 
clusively.  See  Rev.  2:5.  3  :  Ui.  No  church.  Association,  or  ec- 
clesiastical body,  has  any  power  to  exconnminicate ,  or  iiijiire,  or 
unchurch  a  church  of  Clirist;  or  even  to  dissolve  one.  1  his  last 
act  can  only  be  done  by  the  mutual  consent  of  the  members,  by 
whose  will  alone  they  were  constituted  a  church. 

"  4.  Church  authority  extends  over  ministers.  The  church  has 
primary  and  final  jurisdiction  over  them  as  members.  She  alone  can 
call  them  out,  and  (by  the  aid  of  a  presbytery)  ordain  them  ;  and 
for  false  doctrines  or  immoral  conduct,  stop  them  from  preaching 
and  even  excommunicate  iliem;  but  an  Association  has  no  power 
over  a  mijfcster  to  call,  ord;iin,  censure,  stop,  or  exclude  him,  but 
only  through  the  authority  of  the  church  of  which  he  is  a  member. 

"  5.  Church  authority  commands  her  members,  and  for  disobe- 
dience disciplines  them  ;  but  an  Association  can  act  only,  as  an  ad- 
visory council  to  the  cliurches  in  cases  of  difficulty." 

Ministerial  aid  not  absolutely  necessary  at  the  constitution  of 
a  church,  or  an  association. 

"  We  have  never  seen  one  syllable  on  the  subject  of  a  presbytery 
for  the  constitution  of  a  churcli  or  an  association.  And  never  till 
h\tely  knew  that  it  wtis  sine  q'la  non  to  either  being  received  as  or- 
derly bodies.  We  have  no  objection  to  ministers  attending  tlie  con- 
stitution of  churches  and  associations,  as  a  matter  of  expediency ; 
but  to  make  their  presence  and  office  indispensable,  is  to  set  up  a 
regulation  nowhere  to  be  found  in  scripture,  and  consequently  to  be 
prudent  above  what  is  written.  What  constitutes,  in  our  judgment, 
any  number  of  believers  in  Christ  a  church,  is  their  coming  together 
into  one  body,  according  to  the  rules  and  faith  of  the  gospel.  And 
wheresoever  any  body  of  professed  christians  is  found  so  walking  to- 
gether, they  should  be  acknowledged  and  received  as  a  true  church. 
And  when  any  number  of  gospel  churches  agree  to  be  united  into 
one  body,  to  act  more  efficiently  in  the  cause  of  God,  they  should  be 
received  into  correspondence  unhesitatingly." 


CORRECTIONS. 


As  this  volume  has  been  passing  through  the  press,  the  printer  has  made 
a  few  mistakes,  none  of  them  however  of  much  importance.    The  principal 
one  noticed  in  the  following  list  (with  perhaps  one  or  two  others)  resulted 
from  the  oversight  of  the  Writer  when  correcting  his  materials  for  the  press. 
On  page  16,  bottom  line,  for  North  Carolina,  read  Wilkes  County. 
Page  58,  bottom  line,  for  church,  read  churches. 
Page  101,  4th  line  from  top,  for  9tA  verse,  read  8th  verse. 
Page  107,  for  S.  L.  Brooks,  read  I.  L.  Brookes. 
Page  137,  7th  line  from  top,  for  contribute,  read  contributed. 
Page  158, 9th  line  from  bottom,  for  identifying  himself  in,  read  identify- 
ing himself  with. 
Page  176,  7th  line  from  bottom,  for  Medway,  read  Midway. 
Page  241,  2d  line  from  top,  for  resolved,  read  revolved. 
Page  257, 13th  line  from  bottom,  for  goodly  discipline,  read  godly  disci- 
pline. 
Page  436,  the  printer  by  mistake  omitted  the  letter  v.hich  .should  de- 
signate Appendix  C. 


Date  Due 

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